Playing in the Native American All-Star Game Saturday night at Haskell Stadium, Haskell-bound running back Quinton Haynes had two goals he wanted to achieve.

Haskell Indian Nations University freshman Phillip Wahwahsuck of Lawrence rallies on his team Saturday prior to the Native American All-Star Football Game at Haskell Stadium. Wahwahsuck played for the East Side team, which consisted of Native American high school all-stars from the eastern half of the United States.

“I wanted to be MVP of the game, but I got offensive MVP, so that’s not too bad,” he said. “And I wanted to win it for my team. The line did a hell of a job.”

While he didn’t accomplish either of those tasks, he was only seconds from doing so.

With his West All-Star squad leading by six points with under five seconds to play, a simple kneel down or a thrown ball out of bounds would have secured victory for the West team. But on the last play, at their own 35 yard line, Haynes was supposed to run the ball out the back of the end zone for a safety. He took the ball and sprinted towards the goal at his back and stopped in the end zone when he thought he heard a whistle.

“I thought it was over,” Haynes said. “And once that clock hit zero, and then I just gave that ball up and thought I scored a touchdown.”

Haynes was incorrect.

After putting the ball down, thinking the game was over, East player Chance Allensworth recovered the ball for a touchdown to tie the score, and the East quickly punched in the two-point conversion to win the game, 16-14.

Fans and players were in disbelief. Helmets were tossed, and choice words were said in the stands and on the field.

Ironically, West coach Jim Sandusky said it wasn’t the first time he saw a game finish like that.

“I’ve seen it,” he said. “I’ve seen it in a state championship game in Washington five years ago. It’s not over when the whistle blows, it’s over when the play’s dead.”

A defensive battle throughout, the West team used a spread offense to get on the scoreboard first in the second quarter, when Haynes scored a touchdown, breaking two tackles.

“I’m kind of a north-and south-back,” he said. “I like to go straight ahead, but I’ll go out if I have to.”

Haynes also played defense for the team and served as the team’s punter.

“I’ll just play wherever the coach needs me to play,” Haynes said. “If he wants me to play punter or center, I’ll play it just to help out the team.”

West quarterback Eric Johnson Jr., also is bound for Haskell this fall. He said he was looking forward to being Haynes’ teammate again.

“I think it’ll be great,” Johnson said. “And hopefully we can run the same offense so we can show our athleticism and speed. I’d love to run the option with him. He’s definitely really fast.”

In addition to his one touchdown, Haynes also had runs of 17 and 32 yards. He also returned a kick 30 yards and had a quarterback sack on defense.

“He’s a hell of a player,” Johnson said. “It’s just sad that it had to end like that. He didn’t deserve that. He had a hell of a game.”

“He should’ve been the MVP,” Sandusky added. “I mean, he made some great plays on offense and defense. He’s the best athlete out here. If you can’t tell he’s the best athlete out here … It’s just too bad that had to happen to him. He’ll be thinking about that for a while.”

While he didn’t win the game MVP honor, – that went to East running back Joshua Parkhurst – Haynes said he wasn’t going to dwell on the game’s end. Rather, he was looking forward to getting to play football at Haskell.

“I knew it was for Native Americans, and I wanted to learn more about my culture,” Haynes said. “So I just wanted to come here and play.”

Sandusky added that Haynes and Johnson would be great additions to the Haskell football squad this fall.

“They’re players,” he said. “All the guys here on our team that are coming here are gonna make an impact, some of them right away and some in a couple years.”