It took three overtimes but Lake Ridge escaped the Wildcats in an instant classic
Lake Ridge opened the game with a bang as Dewone Jackson ran it in from 54 yards and the Eagles took a quick 7-0 lead.
It was a defensive game early, contrary to what the score might make it seem. Both teams went back and forth, unable to find an opening. Finally, Guyer responded with a touchdown of their own as QB Eli Stowersfound Seth Meadorfor a 12-yard score to tie the game up at 7 at the end of the first quarter.
The Wildcats added another score on a Kaedric Cobbseight-yard rush. At halftime, Guyer held a 14-7 lead.
After halftime, the offenses woke up.
But before the offenses could do anything, the Lake Ridge defense wanted a score of their own. Jacoby Harrisonreturned a fumble 65 yards to bring the Eagles within one point.
Guyer responded as Stowers punched it in from 14 yards out and Guyer extended their lead to eight.
From there, it was all Lake Ridge, who scored 15 points and only let up one more touchdown in regulation. Led by Rogers, Guyer had no answer for the Eagles’ offensive fireworks. When it mattered most however, it was the Eagles who sputtered, as they struggled to put the game away in the final six minutes. Dominating
Lake Ridge got the ball first scoring on a 4-yard pass from Rogers. Guyer responded with a touchdown of their own as Cobbs punched it in from three yards out. Stowers opened the second overtime with a rushing touchdown of his own to go up 42-35.
Two long passes led to a Lake Ridge win. Rogers found Ronnie Gordon to set up the tying score, moving the game into a third overtime. Then, Rogers found Keylan Johnsonfor an 18-yard touchdown, they added the two point conversion and it all fell on the defense.
The Eagles finally made a stand forcing a fourth and long, then clinched the win 50-42.
It was a game everyone involved won’t soon forget. Lake Ridge turned it around after halftime, but Guyer never backed down and played them close. After Guyer’s shocking first round win against Flower Mound, the Cinderella story didn’t last long and the Eagles ended the Wildcats’ season in round two.
Chandler Rogers finished with 453 total yards and three touchdowns to edge towards a third round matchup with Tascosa. Guyer’s QB Eli Stowersfinished with 119 passing yards and a touchdown with over 200 yards and two touchdowns on the ground.
Tascosa will be a tough test for the Eagles, sitting at 9-3 with wins against Pebble Hills and Arlington in the playoffs.
