A 45-yard field goal attempt by Jeffersonville’s Seth Scott caromed off the crossbar with just 20 seconds left on the clock, preserving a 31-29 victory for Seymour’s football team Friday night.

The Owls (2-0, 1-0 HHC) had taken a 31-22 lead with 4:26 left in the game before watching Jeffersonville score a touchdown with 1:24 to go and then recover a well-executed onside kick moments later.

Seymour’s defense, as it had all night long, found ways to slow down the Red Devils as they marched for a winning score. A tackle for loss by Owl defensive lineman Adam Carter and consecutive pass breakups by Chase Miles and Evan Dover stalled the Jeff offense at Seymour’s 38-yard line.

That’s when the strong-legged Scott ran onto the field for his fateful 45-yard attempt.

Unfortunately for Scott and the Red Devils, the kick traveled about an inch short.

Asked what he was thinking as Scott’s kick traveled toward the uprights, Seymour head coach Mike Kelly said, “Holy crap! Good thing it wasn’t an inch further.”

“I’m so proud of our kids,” Kelly continued. “This win didn’t start on Aug. 6. It started back on Nov. 24. Our kids have worked hard.”

The exciting, back-and-forth game between the two Hoosier Hills Conference rivals nearly overshadowed a record-breaking night for Seymour running back Nathan O’Mara.

O’Mara, a 5-foot-8, 180 pound workhorse, broke Seymour school records for both rush attempts and rushing yards in a single game. The senior ended the night with 345 yards on 41 carries.

To say O’Mara broke the records, of course, is an understatement. His 41 carries blew past the previous mark of 32 by Matt Egloff in 1989. His 345 yards, meanwhile, far outpaced the former record of 306 by Anthony Desender in 2005.

In addition to the yardage, he also scored two touchdowns and ran for 17 first downs.

“He’s a workhorse,” Kelly said. “He works his tail off. He’s a leader on and off the field. He gives us great effort every day.”

Not far behind O’Mara’s heroics was Seymour quarterback Brendan Smith, who ran for two touchdowns and threw for another. He finished with 109 yards on 6-for-11 passing, including two huge second-half completions to Drew Schroeder and Cameron James that kept key drives alive.

Also completely forgotten in Friday’s excitement? This simple stat: 2-0.

For the first time since 2001, Seymour has opened a season with two victories. That 2001 team went on to win the sectional title.