Fromm comes through in clutch for Houston County
With a game in the balance and a high school career on the line, Houston County quarterback Jake Fromm engineered a victory-clinching drive worthy of the lofty status he already possesses in Houston County lore, as the Bears kept their playoff hopes alive with a 45-35 victory over Northside on Friday.
“What an incredible football game,” Fromm said. “It’s one that I’ll never forget. We play good when our backs are against the wall. I like being the underdog, and I’m just thankful that God blessed us with a win.”
The Eagles never led, but all of the momentum was in their favor.
Northside capped a 13-play touchdown drive on the second play of the fourth quarter to cut Houston County’s advantage to just three points. Needing a response, Fromm made perhaps his biggest mistake of the night as Northside’s Tae Daeley stepped in front of a pass along the sideline for Fromm’s only interception.
After Houston County’s defense came up with a much-needed stop to preserve the lead, Fromm took care of the rest.
Taking over at his own 35, the senior quarterback misfired on two straight throws to start the drive before finding Amari Colbert for 19 yards. It looked as if he would seal the victory on the very next throw, but a perfect 46-yard strike slipped in and out of the hands of his would-be receiver.
Undaunted, Fromm kept passing.
“You’ve just got to trust your guys,” Fromm said. “You just have to know that if you put it in the right spot that they’re going to make plays for you.
He completed his next three passes in succession, but a sack had the Bears behind the chains at third-and-7 on the 32. Fromm took the snap from the shotgun and would not be denied as he ran through tacklers for 9 yards to extend the drive and setup the decisive touchdown.
On the very next play, running back Jaeven West, who had a huge night in his own right, found space over the middle in the back of the end zone, and Fromm found him for a 23-yard strike to all but put the game out of reach.
Fromm finished the game with 520 yards passing, 122 yards rushing and four touchdowns. A 62-yard jaunt in the game’s final minute ensured that the Eagles wouldn’t get the ball back and gave Houston County its first ever back-to-back victories over Northside.
“He can do whatever he wants to do,” Houston County head coach Von Lassiter said. “He’s the best player I’ve ever seen. I’ve never had one like him. I’ve coached a lot of good players, but he’s an extraordinary human being, extraordinary person, and on top of that he’s a very good football player.”
“You’ve just got to trust your guys,” Fromm said. “You just have to know that if you put it in the right spot that they’re going to make plays for you.
This story was originally published October 28, 2016 at 11:49 PM with the headline "Fromm comes through in clutch for Houston County."