By David Baugh
For the players, coaches, and fans of Warren G.
Harding, the 2002 season was a roller coaster ride
that nobody will ever forget.  No matter what the
score was, the players never quit until the clock read
double zero.  Quarterback Mike Kokal was a big reason
why as he played a huge roll in the Raiders success,
coming through with clutch plays in several big games.
Rotating with Mike Phillips, Kokal wasn't always
expected to play every snap on offense, but he (Kokal)
made the most of his opportunities.  One of his most
memorable plays came against Lakewood St. Edward in
the second round of the 2002 playoffs.  Down 16-15
with eighteen seconds left in the fourth quarter, no
time outs, and the ball at the Raider twenty-two yard
line, it seemed that the Raiders undefeated season
would come to an end.  Kokal had other ideas as he
connected with Mario Manningham on a 52 yard pass,
setting up a fourty yard game winning field goal by
Joe Spain. 

Warren Harding would go on to make it all the way to
the state championship game against Cincinnati Elder.
Facing a 14-0 deficit in the fourth quarter, Kokal led
the Raiders on a serious rally, cutting the lead in
half with a touchdown pass to Richard Davis on the
first play of the period.  After Elder drove down the
field and made the score 21-7, many fans headed for
the exits.  On the first play of the next drive, Kokal
connected with Mario Manningham on a seventy-two yard
touchdown pass, putting fans right back in their
seats.  Even though the Raiders lost the game 21-19 to
finish 14-1, the leadership and toughness that Kokal
displayed lifted not only his teammates, but every fan
of Warren Harding.  This year, he is the favorite to
start at quarterback for Miami of Ohio.