The Olympus-Skyline rivalry has been one of the state's richest in the past. But in the latest chapter, a game that would have measured up well to history, was tainted at the bitter end, a 31-24 battle in which the Titans took down the Eagles.

On the last play of the Battle for the Rock, Skyline quarterback Michael Pell heaved a Hail Mary pass that landed in the hands of Olympus corner Chandler Thorton. The game was over.

From there, the details are fuzzy at best. Coaches from both teams agreed a Skyline player — he remains unknown — delivered a late hit on Thorton. The hit sparked the Olympus players to rise to defend their teammate, which caused half the Eagle team to begin rushing over toward the Titans as their coaches screamed at them to stop.

"It was a little emotion," said Melvin Maxwell, an Olympus assistant coach. "It's a good rivalry, but the emotions got a little high."

Somehow, the teams avoided complete calamity.

Eagles coach Roger Dupaix, who was coaching his 300th game at Skyline, watched as the field emptied out. More than one player was in tears.

"Anytime the last play of the game ends up on the sidelines, there's bound to be pushing and shoving," Dupaix said. "I told them it's not the Skyline way to lose control and lose poise."

It was the end of a long game that saw the Eagles gain 373 yards of offense on the Titans. But the team could not overcome an opportunistic Olympus attack, tough penalties and three injuries to starting players.

In the first quarter, it was all offense. Skyline capped their opening drive with a 5-yard scamper by quarterback Michael Pell. The Titans followed up that score with one of their own, getting a good return from Cole Benson and finishing it with a 15 yard reception. The Eagles took the lead back quickly only two minutes later when CJ Ubani broke free for a 42-yard touchdown run.

Skyline had a chance to increase its lead but fumbled away possession in the end zone. Olympus responded with a field goal and a Jordan Archibald run for a touchdown shortly before halftime.

The Eagles' problems continued in the second half. The Titans immediately scored on their first possession, relying much on Archibald's pounding runs all the way to the end zone. They also dealt with the losses of some of their best players: offensive tackle Austin Harrison in the first half and defensive tackle Nick Johnson and running back Andy Rounds in the second. Harrison may be done for the year, coaches said.

The Eagles clawed their way back in the second half to make it a three-point contest. But when the defense forced Olympus into a fourth-down situation, the Titans pulled a trick play with speedy returner Cole Benson, who could have been considered the game MVP with 135 kickoff return yards. Olympus converted the first down and eventually made their way to the end zone for the deciding score.

QB Michael Pell marched Skyline down to the Titans' 4-yard-line, but the Eagles were forced to settle for a field goal with less than three minutes remaining. It was the last time Skyline would threaten to tie the game.

"It's hard because the game was more than the last play," Dupaix said. "It's a friendly rivalry, and we want to keep it friendly. It's a tough one to lose."