CONRAD — Walker Ashton leaned across the goal line with the entire BCLUW backfield pushing behind him, trying to make sure there was no doubt.

As soon as the officials signaled he was in, pandemonium took hold in Comet Stadium. Players rushed towards the sideline and hugged each other, head coach Jeff Pikna was hugging and jumping into anyone and everyone around him, the home crowd went nuts and it felt like a weight was lifted from the entire program. For the first time since 2017, BCLUW football was 1-0 after a 20-14 overtime victory against East Marshall Friday night.

For Pikna, who won his maiden game as the Comets’ head man, it was about more than just the 1-0 record.

“I think about it as, we were 2-26 at home in the last seven years,” Pikna said. “The crowd tonight was absolutely electric.

“That game right there, it’s all about creating that tangible moment so that these kids know next summer when we’re coming to lift things and setting 100 percent records, you get results like this.”

BCLUW came out of the gates strong and scored on its second drive of the game with a 32-yard touchdown pass from Ashton to Cael Keller, who made an over-the-shoulder grab to open the scoring. After spending last season without much of a consistent passing game, the Comets’ trust and ability to move the ball through the air was critical on Friday.

With a 6-0 lead through the first quarter, things were looking positive for the Comets — whose current group of seniors had two career wins heading into the game against East Marshall.

In the second quarter, the Mustangs fought back. Running back Tyler Fuller scored from 14 yards out and an Adrian Arifi extra point gave East Marshall the 7-6 lead with 6:36 left in the first half.

A snap miscue on a punt late in the first half from the Comets gifted East Marshall the ball on the BCLUW two-yard line with 11 seconds left in the first half. Bo Lee scored the next play to put the Mustangs up 14-6 heading into the halftime break.

Head coach Greg Lee was pleased with the fight his team showed throughout the game.

“Was really proud of them at halftime talking about how they played in the second quarter,” Greg said. “They’re a good bunch and they really work hard, I couldn’t be more proud of their effort. They were dragging a little at the end but they played their hearts out.”

Early in the third quarter, Fuller fumbled in BCLUW territory and Parker Pike scooped up the loose ball. On the ensuing drive, the Comets capitalized with a 40-yard scoring pass from Ashton to Connor Lynch. Ashton converted the two-point attempt and the game was tied.

East Marshall lost Bo Lee for the game to a right foot injury after he was hurt while returning an interception. Jacob Farrington played the rest of the contest at quarterback for the Mustangs.

Farrington had the Mustangs down to the BCLUW 25 with 15 seconds left, but on fourth down they brought Arifi out for a field goal attempt. It was short, and the game headed to overtime.

In the first extra period, East Marshall faced a third and goal at the four-yard-line. Farrington rolled out to his right and tried to find a man in the end zone, but the ball was tipped into the hands of Keller.

Three Ashton quarterback sneaks later, the Comets made a breakthrough.

Pikna said it was a moment that was hard to describe.

“I can’t even think straight,” Pikna said. “You can’t make it up, you just can’t.”

BCLUW visits Hudson next Friday while East Marshall is at home against Roland-Story.