SITUATION DESCRIPTION:

The annual Ely Tigers versus Dillard Panthers football game was played Friday night. Due to family commitments I was unable to attend the game. The game was decided when Donnell Wilson caught a touchdown pass on the last play of the 4th quarter giving Ely a 14-10 victory. Monday morning when I arrived at school "everyone" was talking about the "catch" and the victory. What I want to know is what REALLY happened and just how great of a play this catch actually was. Throughout the day I spoke to the following people in an attempt to obtain the truth. As I review each source I must constantly ask myself "what is the validity of each person's comment and what is their particular expertise in the area of high school football.

Document 1Document 1

Philip Rodriguez, Newspaper Reporter, Philip Rodriguez, Newspaper Reporter, The Fort The Fort Lauderdale Sun-SentinelLauderdale Sun-Sentinel

The annual Ely--Dillard football game ended in The annual Ely--Dillard football game ended in dramatic fashion when Donnell Wilson caught the dramatic fashion when Donnell Wilson caught the game winning touchdown pass as time expired. game winning touchdown pass as time expired. Wilson made a leaping catch and landed safely in Wilson made a leaping catch and landed safely in the endzone capping an improbable come from the endzone capping an improbable come from behind win for the Tigers.behind win for the Tigers.

(note: most high school game results are phoned (note: most high school game results are phoned into the newspaper sports desk)into the newspaper sports desk)

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Donnel Wilson, Ely Wide Receiver Donnel Wilson, Ely Wide Receiver

who caught the winning passwho caught the winning pass

Did you see that catch?! I mean it was great! Did you see that catch?! I mean it was great! Man I knew I had it! That D-back was Man I knew I had it! That D-back was nothing! I ran right by him and just reached nothing! I ran right by him and just reached out and pulled it in. Focus, real focus!! We're out and pulled it in. Focus, real focus!! We're number 1!!number 1!!

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Andres Orozco, Offensive Coach, Andres Orozco, Offensive Coach,

Ely High SchoolEly High School

Great catch! Unbelieveable! Donnell has Great catch! Unbelieveable! Donnell has heart and no quit in him. When it mattered I heart and no quit in him. When it mattered I knew he would come through. He's tough, a knew he would come through. He's tough, a real gamer! I had the team focused. We real gamer! I had the team focused. We were ready to play. Never a doubt!were ready to play. Never a doubt!

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Tyler Anderson, Tyler Anderson, Ely Cheerleader CaptainEly Cheerleader Captain

It was a totally awesome catch! We won the game It was a totally awesome catch! We won the game and, like totally disgraced that other team. I knew and, like totally disgraced that other team. I knew we would win after our half-time show, and we did! we would win after our half-time show, and we did! We rock! Go Ely! Those Dillard guys had no We rock! Go Ely! Those Dillard guys had no chance. And you should have seen those Dillard chance. And you should have seen those Dillard girls! Their cheers were sloppy and screechy. No girls! Their cheers were sloppy and screechy. No wonder we won!!! We're number 1!!wonder we won!!! We're number 1!!

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Dr. Bombay Wilson, Dr. Bombay Wilson, Ely teacher who attended the game to watch Ely teacher who attended the game to watch

his son playhis son play   Ely played real hard. The boys were great. It Ely played real hard. The boys were great. It

was a great catch that won a hard fought was a great catch that won a hard fought game. The noise in the stands after the game. The noise in the stands after the game was unbelievable. Everyone was game was unbelievable. Everyone was hugging each other and screaming.hugging each other and screaming.

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David Kim, David Kim, Defensive back who covered Donnell, Defensive back who covered Donnell,

Dillard High SchoolDillard High School   We were robbed. That guy never caught the We were robbed. That guy never caught the

ball, he was lying there on the ground and ball, he was lying there on the ground and the ball fell in his hands. He pushed me and the ball fell in his hands. He pushed me and the ref never saw nothing. Ely is nothing but the ref never saw nothing. Ely is nothing but a bunch of cheats!a bunch of cheats!

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Athma K. , Defensive Coach, Athma K. , Defensive Coach,

Dillard High SchoolDillard High School

What can I say? Demetrius played him real What can I say? Demetrius played him real tight. Ely ended up on the ground with the tight. Ely ended up on the ground with the ball and the touchdown. Some nights you ball and the touchdown. Some nights you just aren't lucky, some you are.just aren't lucky, some you are.

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Jordan Fudge, Football Referee, excerpt Jordan Fudge, Football Referee, excerpt from his game report to the Florida High from his game report to the Florida High School Activities AssociationSchool Activities Association

It was a clean and simple catch resulting in It was a clean and simple catch resulting in a touchdown. No penalty was involved.a touchdown. No penalty was involved.

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Kuul Wipp, Kuul Wipp, Assistant Football Coach, Assistant Football Coach, University of Nebraska. Excerpt from his University of Nebraska. Excerpt from his

scouting report.scouting report.

#83 Donnell Wilson, Senior. Position: Wide #83 Donnell Wilson, Senior. Position: Wide Receiver. Height: 5'6". Weight: 155. Receiver. Height: 5'6". Weight: 155. Comment: Has poor hands and only Comment: Has poor hands and only average speed.average speed.