For the second time this season in Madison, Wis., the FireHawks couldn’t score late from the 1-yard line or convert an extra point.

So, for the second time, Fort Wayne lost.

But this one, a 25-24 loss in the CIFL playoffs, ended the FireHawks’ season. And had a bit of controversy.

Coach Willie Davis said the referees made an incorrect call that negated Fort Wayne’s apparent go-ahead touchdown late and then were inconsistent on clock issues and extra point calls.

And that left a bitter taste for a six-hour bus ride home and beyond.

“It’s just heartbreaking,” Davis said. “We earned the right to be playing in the championship game. We outplayed Wisconsin. But yet they’re going and we’re not.”

No. 3 seed Fort Wayne (6-5) had a prime opportunity to take a late lead against No. 2 Wisconsin (9-2). Broderick Johnson’s sack forced a fumble that was recovered by Thomas McKenzie to give the FireHawks the ball with about six minutes left.

In two plays, Victor Tolbert rushed for 11 yards and moved the ball to the 1. Then came the play that Davis said “took the life out of us.”

Kota-Carone Colors ran a quarterback sneak for an apparent go-ahead touchdown – but teammate Tramaine Billie was penalized for “assisting the runner” by pushing Colors into the end zone and the TD was negated.

Three plays later, Colors threw an interception, and Wisconsin ran out the clock to secure a trip to the title game against Cincinnati.

“It’s one thing for them to outplay us, but it’s another thing when refs blatantly make calls that are inconsistent,” Davis said. “That’s a shame because these guys showed so much heart and determination to get to this point to lose a game like this.”

In the other meeting at Wisconsin, Fort Wayne had the ball on the 1-yard line but time ran out in a 33-32 loss. Davis didn’t use a kicker in that game.