ERIE - First down, fourth down, it didn't matter to Andy Hay or the Grove City High School football team.

Despite a heaping helping of confusion in overtime, Hay booted the biggest field goal of his career.

As the football awkwardly made its ascent through the uprights in overtime, the Eagles and a smattering of enthusiastic fans charged onto the cold Erie Veterans Stadium field to celebrate a 30-27 victory in the first round of the District 10, Class AA playoffs.

"It wasn't the prettiest kick," said Grove City coach Jeff Bell. "But it was the best looking kick I have seen."

The kick culminated a strange night when nothing was automatic - least of which extra points and the rule book.

After Grove City (8-2) stopped North East (9-1) on its four plays of overtime, the Eagles were penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct.

That placed the ball at the 25 for Grove City's overtime possession.

After the Eagles ran two plays, the line judge signaled to the chain gang to set up the first down marker at the 15.

On the next play, Grove City picked up the first down, but North East coach Matt Shesman protested vehemently that a team cannot get a first down in overtime - and was right.

"The rule book says you have four downs to get 10 yards," Shesman said. "If you have a penalty, you have four downs to get 25 yards. It was very simple."

No matter. Facing a fourth-and-9, Bell sent out Hay, who had an extra point partially blocked, but still good, and another blocked earlier in the game.

He calmly hit the 27-yarder for the win.

Was there any hesitation to try?

"No," Bell said. "Absolutely not. When they told me it was fourth down (instead of first down), I said, 'Well, we're kicking the field goal then.'

"With what (Hay's) percentage was during the season, I knew he was due."

Hay's kick heard around the world - well, at least in Erie and Grove City - erased a myriad of foibles for the Eagles, including three interceptions and two fumbles. North East won the turnover battle 5-0, but still lost.

"We didn't play real well," Bell said. "We're going to have to play a lot better if we are going to keep going in this thing.

"This win was a testament to the kids. They didn't want their season to end."

Kent Uber really didn't want his season to end.

Uber, who had 10 tackles and made the biggest one, tossing North East running back Zac Kuchta for a loss on fourth-and-5 in overtime, blocked an extra point in the fourth quarter to keep the Eagles down by only eight.

Grove City's offense responded as Jim Jaskowak hit Tim Waxenfelter with a 41-yard touchdown pass and then hit Waxenfelter again on the 2-point conversion to tie the score at 27.

"Kent Uber told me he didn't want his season to end, not on this night and not on this field," Bell said.

Uber was a prophet.

Both defenses came into the game sporting obscene numbers on defense. The Eagles had surrendered just 69 points this season and the Grape Pickers a mere 53. The Eagles wasted little time getting the offensive show going.

Grove City drove 64 yards on seven plays on its opening drive, capped by a 1-yard sneak by Jaskowak.

The teams traded scores all night.

Kuchta scored all four touchdowns for North East, catching a 12-yard pass to tie the score at 7 in the first quarter. He also scored on runs of 1, 1 and 4 yards, the last giving the Pickers a 27-19 lead with 6:20 remaining in the game.

Kuchta finished with 95 yards on 26 carries and also caught four passes for 49 yards.

Jaskowak had the hot hand, though, for Grove City, completing 15-of-23 passes for 240 yards. He completed three passes of 40 or more yards, but also threw three interceptions.

"The thing with him, (the interceptions don't) bother him," Bell said. "Some quarterbacks, they throw one early and they are done. He forgets them and says, 'Hey, let me throw the ball again.'"

Waxenfelter caught four passes for 95 yards. Jesse Alfreno also caught four passes for 65 yards for the Eagles.

Grove City will get a chance at revenge when it takes on Harbor Creek, which beat Greenville 34-7 in the other Class AA playoff game, Saturday at 7:30 p.m. at Veterans Stadium.

Harbor Creek beat the Eagles 34-21 in the season opener.

"We're a different team than we were back then," Bell said. "And if Harbor Creek beat Greenville by (almost) 30 points, they are, too."