Dec. 5, 2004, 4:30PM

Falcons flying high after knocking off Katy in 2 OTs to reach semis

By NIKI HERBERT

Cary Chiampi knew what was coming. As the football sailed in the air and made its descent toward the end zone, the Clear Lake linebacker backpedaled, kept his eyes on the ball and went up.

A one-point Clear Lake victory and the school's first state semifinal appearance hung in the balance.

But all Chiampi thought about was the ball. As the senior leaped and intercepted the pass in the end zone, Clear Lake's remarkable season was extended a week longer.

The Falcons defeated defending state champion Katy 35-34 in a double-overtime Class 5A Division II Region III final Saturday at Rice Stadium. They will face Smithson Valley, a 42-24 winner over San Antonio Taft, in the state semifinals at 4 p.m. Saturday in the Alamodome.

"I knew Katy would go for two (points), because they go for the win," Chiampi said. "They don't like to lose. It was no surprise to me that they would go for two. I had a feeling they were coming my way when they lined up because I could tell any time they lined up in a pro set that they came to the right.

"I knew it would be a pass, and I just kept my eyes on the ball. I thought I might drop it. When I caught it, I didn't know what to do -- to run or fall. I just held onto it."

And Chiambi's Clear Lake teammates fell on him.

Katy pulled within 35-34 when Jared Gayhart scored on fourth-and-one. The Tigers then opted for the two-point pass, which Chiambi intercepted.

"I cannot even describe how I feel," said Clear Lake senior quarterback Scott Oswald, who gave the Falcons a 35-28 lead on a one-yard run in the second overtime. "Katy is a great team. Two overtimes. Three overtimes last week (against Memorial). That's tough.

"I just knew I had to score. I was more determined than I have ever been my whole life."

Katy (12-2) had attempted a tiebreaking 24-yard field goal with 10 seconds remaining in regulation, but the field goal was blocked by Falcons senior defensive end Jeff Wheeler.

Neither team scored in the first overtime. Katy had the ball first, but running back James Aston was hit and the ball was stripped from him. Clear Lake took over, but its 24-yard field-goal try sailed wide right.

After Oswald put Lake ahead in the second OT, Aston led the Tigers toward the end zone and Gayhart then jumped over his line for the six points. On the two-point pass, Chiambi sealed the Clear Lake victory.

"What can I say? This is amazing," Clear Lake coach Troy Aduddell said. "We felt coming into this game we would be able to move the ball on them. But our defense stepped up big time."

Clear Lake (13-1) scored on its first two drives of the game, needing less than one minute on each possession as Geno Blow and Elrick Jones scored on 59- and 75-yard runs, respectively. Their scores sandwiched an Aston TD run of 76 yards in the first quarter.

Aston, who rushed for 300 yards and three touchdowns, tied the game at 14 when he capped an 81-yard, 17-play drive, which lasted 7:29.

Aston's third touchdown run gave the Tigers a 21-14 lead at halftime.

Lake tied the game at 21-21 when Jones capped a 71-yard, seven-play drive with an 11-yard touchdown run.

Gayhart gave the Tigers a 28-21 lead with 1:10 left in the third quarter on a two-yard run.

Lake answered when Oswald scored on a one-yard run with 9:13 remaining.

After an exchange of scoreless drives, Katy took over on the Lake 39 after a 36-yard punt return by Will Thompson.

Within the two minutes remaining, Katy drove down to Lake's seven and opted for the field goal on second-and-five. Wheeler's block set up OT.

"A lot has been made about our offense and we love our offense, but defense has to be a part of the game, too," Chiampi said.

BOX SCORE