ESPN RISE

CLARKSBURG, Md. - In the span of 23 seconds, everything changed for Clarksburg's Andrew Veith. The 5-foot-10, 170-pound senior went from throwing an interception to making one and returning it for a 50-yard touchdown that won the 3A West Region matchup against Seneca Valley, 15-8.

"They lined up in Ace [formation], and he dropped back for the pass. I knew it was coming my way, and once it left his hands, I knew it sailed on him. It was right there in my hands, and I just ran as fast I could," Veith said of his game-winning interception.

Seneca Valley (0-1) went up 8-0 in the second quarter, but Clarksburg (1-0) tied the score with 3:31 left in the fourth quarter.

With 50 seconds left, the Screamin' Eagles intercepted the ball and took control on the Clarksburg 36-yard line. After a first down, followed by a penalty and the clock showing 26.7 seconds remaining, Veith made the pick and returned it to the end zone.

After the touchdown, there were only five seconds remaining in the game.

"I just saw touchdown right in front of me," Veith said. "I didn't see anyone, anywhere. I saw the game right in front of my eyes."

"To win this game against that caliber of a ballclub, I think allows us to have some creditability," Clarksburg coach Larry Hurd said. "I've known for two years that our team has been pretty good, but we've always been told that if we play Seneca Valley or teams that are next to, we'll get ran off the field."

"Tonight, they punched us in the face, but we kept fighting," Hurd added.

Out of position: Veith who usually starts at receiver, was starting at quarterback because of an injury to normal starter, Tyler Stevens. Veith had two weeks of practice at quarterback.

"I knew I had more responsibility. I'd be the one who'd be controlling the ball, whether we made good plays or not. I kind of struggled tonight, but our defense stepped up. I don't know how many times they [Seneca Valley] got the ball in an incredible spot and our defense just stuffed them."

Last season, Veith made 30 catches for 591 yards and seven touchdowns.

Save the date: This game had an extra meaning for Veith. The senior went to middle school with many of the players on the Seneca Valley sideline.

"This is the biggest game of my life," Veith said. "I couldn't believe what happened. I've been waiting for this game forever, and to be in the right spot at the right time and be able to make a play like that. … And to do it against kids that I've grown up with my whole life is just amazing."

Isn't that special: In a game dominated by defense, it was the special teams that swung the tide.

Junior Moses Anoh blocked a Seneca Valley punt attempt to give the Coyotes possession on the Seneca Valley 24-yard line.

The game turned when…: …on second-and-5 from the Seneca Valley 19-yard line (two plays after the blocked punt), a sack that would have been a 7-yard loss was negated by a face mask penalty that gave the Coyotes first-and-goal from the 9. Two 4-yard runs by Devin Moreno gave Clarksburg third-and-goal from the 1-yard line. Veith rushed the ball on a QB keeper, and Sam Collins ran in the 2-point conversion to tie the score at 8-all.

What this means: With the 3A West region hosting some of the best teams in Maryland, and seven legitimate playoff contenders, Clarksburg's victory gives it some breathing room and confidence. Stevens is expected to return at quarterback next week, which should improve the offense.

For Seneca Valley, the Eagles are 0-1 and with a young team that boasts 29 underclassmen and faces the prospect of playing Damascus and Quince Orchard, which share the region, later this season.

What's next: Clarksburg will travel to Northwood next Friday, and Seneca Valley will host Winston Churchill.

Summary

Clarksburg 15, Seneca Valley 8

Seneca Valley 0-8-0-0 = 8
Clarksburg 0-0-0-15 = 15

Scoring Summary

Second Quarter

SV-Michael Doe 6 pass from Max Nicholson (Pierre Hinton run), 5:05 (SV: 8-0)

Fourth Quarter

C-Andrew Veith 2 run (Sam Collins run), 3:31 (8-8)
C-Andrew Veith 50 interception return (Kick good), :05 (C: 15-8)

ESPNRise encourages comments from its users. Leave a comment below. Mike Loveday covers high school sports for ESPNRISE.com. Mike can be reached at Michael.Loveday@espn.com