Tompkins has responded in the face of adversity all season.

From losses, to changes at positions to injuries, the Falcons have found a way to compete, stay together with the bond they have as a team and win all year.

Tompkins did the same thing Thursday, fighting through adversity and injuries while playing an extremely tough opponent. But, the Falcons efforts ended up coming just narrowly short, as they suffered a season ending double overtime loss, 35-33, to Ridge Point in the Class 6A-Division I Bi-District round at Mercer Stadium.

“I’m just super proud of those guys,” said Tompkins head coach Todd McVey. “It was such a good ballgame and hats off to Ridge Point because they played their hearts out. It was such a good game and I’m just so proud of the way these guys fought. The senior class here held in there and have stepped things up all year. They truly trusted the process and what their coaches were telling them. There’s a lot of sad senior’s out there right now but I’m so impressed with them, they’ve become great young men over the past four years in this process and I love them.”

It was a tight, thrilling game from beginning to end, as not team held a lead larger than seven points.
Jhase McMillan nearly returned the opening kickoff for a touchdown, but was brought down just inside the red zone and Tompkins eventually had to settle for a 25-yard field goal from Andrew Horner.

Ridge Point responded with a field goal of its own and the two teams went back and forth until Tompkins regained the lead on a 46-yard field goal, and The Falcons looked to be driving late in the first half before a fumble derailed a drive and gave Ridge Point the ball back, as the Panthers were able to tie things at six heading into half with a late field goal of their own.

“We went through a lot this year,” said Tompkins senior running back and safety Caleb Komolafe. “From changing positions to different starting lineups and things, but we all stayed ready and believed. There’s a collective brotherhood here and coach McVey really appreciates all of us. We stuck together and we had love for each other and it’s just sad that this was our last game together.”

Ridge Point came out with a strong drive to open the second half, scoring on a 15-yard run by Ezell Jolly to take a seven-point lead, but Tompkins had the response this time. The Falcons put together a strong drive and tied things on a 4-yard Caleb Blocker run and after going back and forth the rest of the third quarter, Tompkins took a touchdown lead with seven minutes left in the fourth after a Komolafe 1-yard touchdown run.

Ridge Point tied things back up with two-minutes remaining, but Tompkins looked poised to take the lead late before a big penalty halted a strong drive. Ridge Point then tried to put together a last minute drive, but Tompkins came up big, forcing a turnover on downs and takin the game into overtime.

“The guys really stepped up, and even though tonight didn’t go the way we wanted I’m still really proud,” Komolafe said. “The young guys really did their best and tried so hard tonight. I’m looking forward to seeing what they can do next year.”

Ridge Point scored a touchdown on their possession in the first overtime, and things looked dire for Tompkins as they faced a fourth down the play after Wyatt Young, their starting quarterback, got injured.  But backup quarterback Chris Gilbert Jr. came in and made two huge plays, converting the fourth down on a pass and then scoring on a 3-yard run to bring things to a second overtime.

“That’s what we do, it’s always next man up and Chris knows how to run the offense, he practices too and he’s been ready all year every time his name was called,” McVey said. “I’m just super proud of his attitude and his effort for the team and his brothers. Every single one of them believed in him, he made plays and got us in the endzone tonight when we had to have it and I can’t say enough about a guy like that.”

Tompkins only needed one play to score in the second overtime, as Komolafe went 25-yards for a touchdown, but the Falcons were stuffed on the two-point conversion and Ridge Point was able to get the win by scoring and converting their two-point conversion.”

The Falcons will have to say goodbye to a group of seniors that paved the way for the younger players, which is exactly what the coaches ask of their groups. And while they are all sad about the way the season ended, every coach is appreciative of what this group gave this season and how they bought in to the process.

“They just endured,” McVey said. “They endured everything that was put in front of them. They gave such great effort and did such a great job of embracing our culture and leading themselves this year. They led more stuff on their own this year than we’ve ever done and when a group does that it just makes the program better. Them doing that is going to help these next groups continue to grow.”

Ridge Point 35, Tompkins 33

First quarter

T: Andrew Horner 25 field goal, 9:45

RP: Holden Gray 28 field goal, 5:40

Second quarter

T: Horner 46 field goal, 8:57

RP: Gray 25 field goal, 0:27

Third quarter

RP: Ezell Jolly 15 run (Gray kick) 9:38

T: Caleb Blocker 4 run (Horner kick)

Fourth quarter

T: Caleb Komolafe 1 run (Horner kick) 7:15

RP: Jolly 1 run (Gray kick) 2:18

First OT

RP: Jolly 6 run (Gray kick)

T: Chris Gilbert Jr. 3 run (Horner kick) 7:15

Second OT

T: Komolafe 25 run (run failed)

RP: Austin Carlisle 11 run (pass successful)

Team stats

Individual Statistics

Rushing – Tompkins: Caleb Komolafe, 16-199-2; Caleb Blocker, 20-98-1; Wyatt Young, 7-8; Chris Gilbert Jr., 1-3; Ridge Point: Austin Carlisle, 15-65; Ezell Jolly, 16-44; Quincy Drummer, 1-4;

Passing – Tompkins: Wyatt Young, 9-12-57-0-0; Chris Gilbert Jr., 1-1-8-0-0; Ridge Point: Austin Carlisle, 19-30-287;

Receiving – Tompkins: Noah Coughran, 7-56; Rhys Phillips, 1-8; Caleb Blocker, 2-1; Ridge Point: Ashton Bethel-Roman, 7-172; Gabriel Breaux, 3-39; Ezell Jolly, 4-31; Mason Dossett, 3-25; Cole Veillon, 2-20;