The 5 plays that decided Bullitt East football's wild KHSAA playoff win over Manual

The final two minutes of Bullitt East and Manual football's KHSAA Class 6A second-round playoff game was straight out of a video game. The teams combined for 24 and three lead changes before the Chargers survived 36-35 at Egan Field.

Chargers coach Keegan Kendrick couldn't believe it.

"I'm so proud of our kids. We talked so much about controlling what you can control and just doing your job," Kendrick said. "For them to see and experience that type of finish and not come unglued and finish strong, I'm just so proud of them."

Here a the five most important plays from the Chargers' rollercoaster win Friday night:

Kentucky high school football playoffs:Second round live updates, scores and highlights

Manual's Elijah Creech trims the lead

After missing most of the season due to a collarbone injury, Manual junior quarterback Elijah Creech recovered just in time for the postseason.

Creech tossed his second touchdown of the game less than a minute into the fourth quarter to Willis Nofsinger to trim the Chargers' lead to seven. Manual coach Donnie Stoner knew Creech had the arm talent to be the Crimsons No. 1 guy this season, but the grit to return to the field during Manual's most important stretch only proved Creech had the toughness as well.

"It was all about trust," Stoner said. "Unlike many years in the past we afforded the opportunity to have some interchangeable guys. Tyree and Eli both did a phenomenal job and got the job done."

Aiden Blakey's second effort puts Manual ahead

Manual junior running back Zah'Ron Washburn (1,308 yards and 20 touchdowns) has been the heartbeat of the Crimsons' offense all season, but they Crimsons needed a replacement after he was knocked out of the game on the first drive.

Sophomore Aiden Blakey stepped up for Washburn and led the Crimsons on the ground throughout the night. Even though Blakey wasn't able to chew up big yardage, he did move the sticks and was one of the heroes of the game.

With 1:50 left to go Blakey powered his way in from 4 yards out to trim Bullitt East's lead to a point. Instead of heading back to the sideline, he stayed on the field and was handed the ball to go for the lead. After nearly being gobbled up in the backfield, Blakey's second effort lifted the Crimsons to their first lead of the game.

High school football:St. X's defense is the 'best in the state this year.' Is it as good as Trinity in 2020?

Ryan Still gets loose seconds later

It took Manual nearly the entire game to take the lead and Bullitt East swiped it back in a matter of seconds.

Before the Crimsons' could stop celebrating, senior wide receiver/defensive back Ryan Still was racing right through the heart of the Crimson's return team and scampered 99 yards to the end zone to regain the lead. The Chargers converted a two-point conversion to go up 36-29. Had the game been less crazy, Still might've thought that his go-ahead return was the nail in Manual's coffin. But he knew better.

"When I crossed and looked up at the crowd there was no better feeling," Still said. "It means a lot, but we're not done yet and we can't underestimate anybody."

Manual's last prayer is answered

Donnie Stoner had one more trick up his sleeve.

Manual hadn't ran its lineman pass since its Week 1 win over Central, but with the season on the line Stoner felt there was no better time. Sitting at midfield, the Crimsons needed a miracle to score. What they got was one of the most absurd plays seen on a football field.

Offensive left tackle Edward Ryan, rather than set up in pass protection, dropped back and caught a lateral from Creech. Instead of rumbling forward, Ryan launched a wobbling 50-yard touchdown pass to Jeremiah Blakey right over Camron Brogan's head to make it 36-35 , an extra-point away from a tie ballgame. The referees stood there stunned. What did they just see? Half of the fans at Egan field were wondering if the play was legal and the other wondered if their Chargers' season was over.

"That was just one that we felt we needed to save," Stoner said. "It was one that we knew didn't show up on film enough for them to be ready for it."

The final stand

Bullitt East wasn't ready for Manual's trick play, but with the season on the line the Chargers were prepared for the most important play of the year.

Manual returned back to the field following the touchdown looking to take the lead on a two-point conversion with 30 seconds to go. Convert, and the Crimsons advance to the third round of the playoffs.

The Chargers' defense, however, delivered.

Bullitt East put the cap on what was a game to remember after its defense stopped Tyree Stoner, on a QB keeper to the right side of the line, short of the pylon on the Crimson's attempt. Final score: Bullitt East 36, Manual 35.

High school football: Seneca football's 'lick back tour' ended one of Kentucky's worst streaks. What's next?

Bullitt East 7 14 7 8 36

Manual 7 7 0 21 35

First quarter

BE - Travis Egan 10-yard rush (Collin Elder kick)

MAN - Cameron Jessee 5-yard reception from Elijah Creech (Parker Friedman kick)

Second quarter

BE - Mason Gauthier 5-yard run (Elder kick)

MAN - Jeremiah Blakey 85-yard kickoff return (Friedman kick)

BE - Camron Brogan 10-yard reception from Travis Brogan (Elder kick)

Third quarter

BE - Travis Egan 10-yard run (Elder kick)

Fourth quarter

MAN - Willis Nofsinger 8-yard reception from Elijah Creech (Friedman kick)

MAN - Aiden Blakely 4-yard rush (2-point conversion is good)

BE - Ryan Still 99-yard kickoff return (2-point conversion is good)

MAN- Jeremiah Blakely 50-yard reception from Edward Ryan (failed 2-point conversion)

Records: Bullitt East (11-1), Manual ( 9-3)

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: KHSAA football playoffs: 5 key plays in Bullitt East's win over Manual