Thomas Copeland completed one of the most fascinating catches of the high school football season, the Nebraska athlete ripping the ball away from a defensive back that seemed to have an interception.
The catch was reminiscent of David Tyree’s catch in Super Bowl XLII against the New England Patriots. Late in the fourth quarter, the New York Giants wide receiver caught a long pass from quarterback Eli Manning, holding the ball against his helmet to complete the catch.
It was the pivotal play for the Giants in their Super Bowl upset of the Patriots. It is considered one of the top plays in NFL history.
Copeland did the reverse of that play, ripping a would-be interception off an opponent’s helmet for his own big play.
Ironically, Copeland plays for Parkview Christian (Lincoln, Nebraska). Why is that ironic? Their team name is the Patriots.
The play came on Friday when Copeland wrestled control of a ball that was pinned against the defensive back’s facemask. Copeland’s body control and strength managed to jar the bar free before the defensive back was able to land on the ground.
🚨CATCH OF THE YEAR NOMINEE🚨
Parkview Christian’s Thomas Copeland goes over the defender in the end zone and rips the ball away for a touchdown in the State Semifinals.@PCSPatriots @1011_News #nebpreps #SCTop10 pic.twitter.com/IaP5htpViv
— Kevin Sjuts (@kevinsjuts) November 10, 2023
It all happened so fast for Copeland, making for an incredible touchdown catch for Parkview (and some great camera work from 10/11 sports reporter Kevin Sjuts. It wasn’t enough, however, as Parkview fell in the playoffs at Hay Springs (Hay Springs, Nebraska) 65-41.
The Patriots concluded their season in the D6 District 1 (6 Man) Football with a record of 8-3.