Reyes was challenging for the ball near the top of the Watkins Mill goalbox and was expecting to be called offside.

Everyone seemed to stop playing in anticipation of the whistle except Reyes. When it wasn't blown, he alertly played the ball and knocked it into the open net for the final goal in Tuscarora's 4-2 home win over the Wolverines in a Class 3A West semifinal.

"I don't know how he figured that out. It was just a great play," Titans coach Marty Stiteler said. "For him to think so fast on his feet like that was pretty remarkable."

The win sends the top-seeded Titans (13-2) into the 3A West championship game against second-seeded Clarksburg. The game will be played either Tuesday or Wednesday night at Tuscarora.

It's familiar ground for the Titans, the defending regional champs who won the 3A state title last season. They scrimmaged Clarksburg prior to the season and are familiar with its stingy defense.

The Coyotes (10-1-3) have only allowed three goals all season, including two in an overtime win over Watkins Mill on Sept. 23. Clarksburg has not allowed a goal in its last six games.

"They are a very good team," Reyes said. "They have a solid midfield and a solid defense. We're just going to come out and go strong."

Tuscarora beat Watkins Mill with its typical no-panic, total-team effort that has served it so well.

The Titans scored two of their goals on the tougher end of the field with a cold wind howling in their face.

It didn't really matter that the Wolverines scored the first goal of the game and then another in the final minute of the first half that pulled the teams even.

"We know we have people who can score goals," Tuscarora senior caption Kevin Ruzbacki said.

"We're trying not to have any scored on us, but, if it happens, we don't let it get to us. We know we are going to score some. Just a matter of when."

Both of the Watkins Mill goals were scored by sophomore striker Oscar Carcamo, while Tuscarora received goals from four different players.

In addition to Reyes, senior midfielder Warren Naylor, junior midfielder Dustin Brand and Ruzbacki connected with shots.

"It's contagious. It's just that will to win the kids have," Stiteler said. "In the back of their minds, they know this is it or we're done."

Post your comments » Soldier will likely be fired after alleged desertion The Army will likely fire a Westminster soldier accused of desertion, even though his family claims he did everything he could to get back to his unit after coming home on emergency leave to care for his sick wife and newborn daughter. Crash victim's widow recalls happy years together Mary Pat Hane Kulina, widow of Stephen P. Kulina, who died in a motorcycle crash this week, said her husband was the kind of man who would keep on working until he got the job done. Zwinak-led Lancers win GAITHERSBURG -- At practice, Linganore running back Zach Zwinak is used to running the length of the football field. Fire & Police Blotter Purse theft investigated Cougars roll on with another Rout THURMONT -- The Catoctin football players stood and kneeled behind the regional championship banner on the track at the school Friday night, yelling "we're undefeated" and pumping their fists in the air as fans applauded.