In 2012, the sports network ESPN began airing "instant classics" on its Classic ESPN channel. Only games deemed worthy of immediate reliving earned the distinction of airing on the channel right away. Kenston's heart-stomping 48-45 triple overtime loss to NDCL would certainly be deemed worthy of the moniker and attention if the network survived.

The game started uninterestingly, with both teams trading punts, including a 52-yard boomer by Kenston's Grady Kucharson. But on the third possession, NDCL went on an 86-yard drive culminating in the game's first score, an eight-yard touchdown pass by Lion quarterback Brady Capel.

Kenston answered though with a 71-yard drive of its own that was capped off by an eight-yard touchdown run by Will Hamm, making it 7-7 just before the end of the first quarter.

The two teams again exchanged punts to start the second quarter. NDCL then put together a decent drive and attempted to gain the lead on a field goal try but it was blocked by Dylan Ringness.

On Kenston's ensuing possession, Ethan Burge carried the ball several times, punishing would-be tacklers and got the Bombers to within striking distance. His runs set up a 15-yard TD pass from quarterback Jack Bryner to wide receiver Kahlil Hinton to give Kenston the 14-7 lead.

NDCL kept pace though and added a touchdown of their own to knot it at 14 and that's where the score remained until halftime.

After four-and-out by Kenston to start the second half, Kucharson belted another 50+ yard punt that was downed at the NDCL six. Two plays later, linebacker Colin Weiland stormed into the Lion backfield and stripped the ball carrier, recovering the ball for the game's first turnover.

Burge capitalized from the four-yard line for his first of two rushing TDs on the night to put Kenston up 21-14.

On the next drive, senior defensive lineman Ethan Black got the Bomber D off to a good start, sacking Capel for a six yard loss that led to another Lion punt. The excellent field position gave Kenston a short field to work with and Bryner ran it in for his first rushing score of the season, giving them what looked like a commanding 28-14 lead.

However, NDCL was just beginning to fight and scored 24 unanswered points against a tired Kenston defense. But Kenston went on a 10-point scoring run themselves to tie it up at 38.

The first score Kenston clawed back with was on a drive owned by Hinton who gashed the Lion secondary with three consecutive catches for 71 yards and a touchdown. The next score was represented by one of the oddest series of plays one might ever see in a high school football game..

Following the Hinton TD grab, Kucharson drove his kickoff deep into NDCL territory. Instead of letting the ball enter the end zone for the touchback, the Lion returner inexplicably picked the ball up at the one and was gang tackled at the three-yard line.

A couple of run plays gave the team some breathing room but with just a three point lead and less than two minutes to play, NDCL shockingly lined up to go for it on fourth down on their own 11 yard line. The QB-center exchange was then fumbled and Weiland again slipped into the backfield for his second fumble recovery of the night.

The Bombers tried desperately for a winning touchdown but had to settle for a 27-yard field goal by Kucharson, propelling the game into overtime.

In the first extra frame, both teams had opportunities to score but each missed field goal attempts, sending the game into a second overtime.

On Kenston's next possession, Bryner found Max George wide open in the middle of the field and George sprinted in for a 19-yard touchdown to give Kenston the 45-38 advantage.

NDCL refused to give up and matched the score at 45, forcing a third overtime. Starting with the ball in OT3 and when their drive stalled, the Lions elected to kick a 25-yard field goal and take the lead, 48-45.

Kenston's drive also stalled and a potential game-tying 30-yard field goal sailed wide left giving NDCL the narrow victory.

Despite the loss, some Herculean efforts were turned in by the Kenston triplets of Bryner, Burge, and Hinton.

Bryner finished 16 of 24 for 172 yards and three touchdown passes as well as 15 rushes for 63 yards and a fourth score. Burge was a workhorse, toting it 32 times for 176 yards and two scores and Hinton tallied five receptions for 97 yards and two touchdowns.

On defense, linebacker Jake Rostocil was a tackling machine finishing with 19 of them (10 solo, 9 assists) and added a sack to go with three TFLs.

Also, with his 15 tackles, Weiland moved into third place all-time on the career list, passing Matt Iklodi and Joe Staudenbauer with 216 total.

Black also was relentless on the line, making seven tackles, including a sack and three TFLs to go with three QB pressures.

Kenston will try to halt their two-game skid with a win at home next week against Akron Buchtel.