It was nother week full of excitement and big plays in D3 football sprinkled across Week 3, including a trick play and a couple of incredible catches. Here's your chance to pick the best.
Don't forget to vote for your favorite in the poll at the bottom of the list of candidates. The poll closes Thursday at midnight Pacific.
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Michael Whitley Hits Richard Micheaux To Win The Game
The game-winning TD – @devontewhitley to @Micheaux3 to cap an amazing late-game scoring drive! @LUMuskieFB pic.twitter.com/UP02UXNJrM
— Lakeland Athletics (@LUMuskies) September 17, 2016
Lakeland quarterback Michael Whitley hit Richard Micheaux III for a 13-yard touchdown with just seven seconds left on the clock to take the lead and steal a win away from Albion.
The play capped a six-play, 86-yard drive that lasted just 24 seconds and gave Lakeland a 40-38 win in a game dominated by the two offenses. The pitch-and-catch was the biggest of 188 combined plays in the game.
Whitley finished with 478 yards and four touchdowns. Micheaux's TD catch was his third reception of the day, and his shortest after hauling passes for 33 and 32 yards, but all three came in the fourth quarter.
Prior to the final drive, the Lakeland defense forced Albion to punt with 40 seconds remaining to set up the final drive.
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Darius Philon's Amazing Catch
Wow. WHAT A CATCH. Darius Philon doing incredible things on the #football field! #amazing @AdrianBulldogs #D3FB pic.twitter.com/CQVBfQ80XC
— HERO Sports D3FB (@HEROSportsD3FB) September 17, 2016
The Adrian Bulldogs had their five-game winning streak snapped but sophomore wide receiver Darius Philon put on a show on this play.
On the final drive of the third quarter, Philon ran a deep route down the right sideline. He was covered. He was double covered, in fact. But quarterback Stephen Milarch let it fly and Philon went up and won the battle over both defenders, somehow holding onto the ball as he hit the turf.
The catch extended the drive for the Bulldogs, whose valiant comeback effort came up short. This catch, however, is one of the most difficult catches a receiver can make at any level of football.
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The Haggerty Brothers' Flea Flicker
Check out Chris Haggerty's flea flicker TD pass to his brother Shane from Saturday's Admiral's Cup! #d3fb #BucNation pic.twitter.com/spTKzUbnB1
— MMA Buccaneers (@mmabuccaneers) September 18, 2016
So, Massachusetts Maritime quarterback Chris Haggerty had himself a a good day. So did his brother, Shane.
Chris, the Buccaneers quarterback, passed for 340 yards and two touchdowns while Shane, a wide receiver, piled up nine catches for 114 yards and a score.
The pair connected for this flea flicker of 29 yards as time expired in the first half, cutting Maine Maritime's lead to 21-14.
Chris handed off to the tailback who flipped to the receiver crossing from the strong side of the formation.
The receiver then flipped back to Chris who found his brother in the end zone for the score.
Like clockwork, right?
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Ryan Sample's Great Run
Benedictine quarterback Ryan Sample passed for 350 yards and two scores but this play may have been his best of the day.
Sample appeared to be sacked inside the 2-yard line but rolled off the defender and started his 48-yard scamper to flip field position in what ended up a 35-28 victory for the Eagles.
Furthermore, Sample's run came on third-and-eight from his own 26-yard line. A failed conversion and the ball goes right back to Adrian. Instead, Sample led the Eagles to the red zone, eating clock and handing the Bulldogs a long field.
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Ben Fleet's One-Handed TD Catch at Defiance
Franklin College sophomore wide receiver Ben Fleet only caught one pass in his team's 41-6 win over Defiance, but it was a doozie. This impressive one-handed touchdown catch came in the fourth quarter, on a fourth down play from 19 yards out.
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