HURRICANE — Anticipation was off the charts for this battle of the top two teams in Region 9, especially after last season's 34-28 double-overtime thriller won by Pine View.
Would you believe it went to double overtime again this season, with an identical score, just a different result?
Hurricane's Robert Reeve plunged into the end zone with from 4 yards out to cap a game that lasted 31/2 hours in front of an overflow crowd.
The play gave the Tigers a 34-28 double-overtime victory of their own.
"Our kids have really bought into what we're trying to do, with the weights and the sacrifice, and it pays off with results like this," Tigers coach Chris Homer said in praise of his entire team.
Hurricane wasted no time getting things going.
After forcing Pine View to punt on its first possession, the Tigers went ahead on its first play from scrimmage as Jarom Healy took a swing pass from Tim Long, broke three tackles and raced 82 yards for a quick score.
Barely four minutes later, it was 14-0 as seldom-used Nathan Barker was on the receiving end of a 22-yard scoring toss from Long.
Pine View settled down and started to get things rolling.
While the Panthers struggled all night running the ball, quarterback Alec Mecham had no problems moving it through the air, especially with Connor Murdock as his go-to target.
Murdock, who had been slowed earlier this season by injury, had a breakout game with 13 receptions, many key third down grabs, en route to gaining 168 yards and the eventual game-tying touchdown late in the fourth quarter.
Tight end Cole Wilstead also made some huge catches, including a spectacular twisting, scoring grab from 17 yards out that knotted the score up early in the second half.
Mecham ended up completing 29-of-57 passes for 351 yards and three scores.
The Tigers were more balanced, with Healy being the big star. All the junior standout did was rush for 118 yards on 22 carries on the way to gaining more than 200 combined yards.
Meanwhile, Long, despite feeling defensive pressure all night, completed 10-of-21 passes for 198 yards, while rushing for 34 yards and a 6-yard score.
But it was Reeve, who started preseason camp well down the depth chart, who sent the home crowd happy with the final 4 yards of his 71-yard effort.