Before his third-ranked Engineers took the field at Morgan State's Hughes Stadium for their 106th battle against No. 5 City, someone asked Poly coach Augie Waibel whether he could top last year's 21-20 victory, the result of Greg Kyler's 24-yard reception with 25 seconds left.
Two hours later, Waibel answered with the last-second heroics of Martin Prosper for a 7-6 victory.
Down 6-0 with 38 seconds left and City defensive back Warren Smith playing in-your-shirt defense, Prosper, scarcely across the goal line, turned and out-leaped Smith to catch 12-yard touchdown pass from Jackie Wise.
Prosper's area-leading 12th touchdown reception, coupled with Randall Beaman's extra-point kick, secured a victory that sends the Engineers (9-1) back to the 3A state playoffs, where they'll try to improve on last year's runner-up finish.