Thanks to senior linebacker Chris Stout, Hamilton High School West was able to narrowly edge rival Nottingham 7-6 on October 31 for the first time in three years.
HAMILTON -- Thanks to senior linebacker Chris Stout, Hamilton High School West was able to narrowly edge rival Nottingham 7-6 on October 31 for the first time in three years.
With 13 seconds left in the first half, Stout picked off an errant pass and returned it 65 yards for a touchdown, Hamilton West's only score of the game. Stout's score proved to be all the Hornets needed though, as Nottingham was held to just six points.
Without Stout's impressive defensive play, the Hornets could've fallen short.
"It was pretty nice I got the ball, but on the play I was pretty upset I missed the tackle," Stout told NJ Advance Media after the game, detailing his big play. "I got right back up and the ball landed right in my hands. I was in the backfield and I was trying to follow the play and our guys almost sacked their quarterback."
"Then he threw it and it got tipped, and I just went up and caught it and I ran it back," Stout said.
But Stout didn't take all the credit for the big play - he made it clear that his teammates were also deserving of praise.
"Once I got the ball nobody touched me," said Stout. "It was awesome and I got two great blocks on the play. Reidgee DiManche and Juan Figueroa had the blocks and I just ran down the sideline to the end zone."
Stout's game-changing play gave the Hornets the lead, which they held onto for the remainder of the contest. While most games aren't usually decided by one big play, this game was an exception.
Thanks to Stout's 65-yard pick-six, the Hornets were able to notch a much-needed victory, felling a rival they hadn't defeated in three years.
"This is my second year of football and I've never made a bigger play than that one; it's the best play I've ever made," Stout said.
Rich Cuccagna may be reached at rcuccagna@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @RichCuccagna. Find The Times of Trenton on Facebook.