JJ Watt leads the criticism of ESPN after it cut away from critical drive in the final minute of clash between high school powers for NBA preseason game

Football fans became furious after ESPN cut a broadcast of a high school game with less than a minute remaining.

It’s rare for a high school game to be broadcast on national television, but Georgia schools Mill Creek and Buford High, both football powerhouses, had the game on the small screen.

With both teams entering the game 6-0 and Buford counting future Georgia quarterback Dylan Raiola, the action drew viewers to ESPN2 from across the Peach State and the rest of the country.

And the game brought entertainment. With less than a minute to play, Mill Creek clung to a narrow 31-24 lead with Buford on a potential game-tying dive.

However, viewers were not treated to the thrilling finale of the game as ESPN cut the NBA preseason.

ESPN broadcast a high school football game between Mill Creek and Buford Friday night

But the network cut the NBA preseason game between the Lakers and Warriors.

Former NL star JJ Watt leads confusion and criticism of decision from fans on Twitter

Instead of showing an entertaining finale, the sports broadcasting giant opted to skip to the preseason exhibition game between the Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors.

Viewers across the US were left confused by the decision, with former NFL star JJ Watt leading the reaction.

The former defensive end, who retired at the end of last season, took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to ask how the game ended.

“Need someone to update me on what happened at the end of Buford vs. Mill Creek,” he posted.

“Cutting game coverage with 20 seconds left on a game-winning drive for a preseason basketball game was crazy. Does anyone in Georgia have news for me? »

The future Pro Football Hall of Famer wasn’t the only one baffled by the decision, as fans on social media also criticized ESPN’s decision.

One football fan even went so far as to call for those responsible for the broadcast change to be fired.

“Buford heads for a potential game-tying TD against Mill Creek and ESPN cuts the game for NBA preseason basketball. Fire everyone,” he tweeted.

One football fan even went so far as to call for those responsible for the change to be fired.

He added: “They said ‘join us on the app’…I went to the app and there’s nowhere to find the game. It just redirects to the NBA preseason game.” ESPN controlling sports is a national nightmare.

Another criticized ESPN, posting: “Last seconds of a huge GA HS football game on ESPN2 as No. 1 prospect and UGA commit Dylan Raiola leads Buford, led by 7, down the field against Mill Creek – and they moved on to the start of a pre-season.” NBA game. Absolutely horrible.

Other viewers were left in disbelief as they wondered why they couldn’t even get the game reminder on the network’s app.

“ESPN just launched the Buford/Mill Creek game on the app with 30 seconds left in the NBA preseason,” one wrote. ‘What are we doing?’

Other furious fans were left in disbelief as they questioned and lambasted the decision.

Another chimed in, adding, “No way ESPN just turned off the Mill Creek vs. Buford game with 30 seconds left for preseason basketball.” I can’t even find the rest of the game on the app.

One particularly furious fan claimed that ESPN’s decision was motivated by money, as they were also targeting its parent company, Disney.

They posted: “We didn’t get to see the end of the HS football game between Buford and Mill Creek because ESPN is paid by the Lakers (preseason), but in case you want to know, Mill Creek has won. ESPN also won because of money. Disney sucks.’

Mill Creek ultimately held on to seal the 31-24 win over Buford.