Football advances to playoffs after 47-44 win

After+the+first+touchdown+of+the+game%2C+sophomore+Aaron+Fuller+celebrates+the+strong+start+with+senior+Grant+Jarvis.+This+strong+start+led+to+a+win+and+the+clenching+of+playoffs.+

Ben Prengler

After the first touchdown of the game, sophomore Aaron Fuller celebrates the strong start with senior Grant Jarvis. This strong start led to a win and the clenching of playoffs.

Jessica Parrott, Sports Editor
November 11, 2013

Cheerleaders celebrate after the Alma Mater.
Cheerleaders celebrate after the Alma Mater.
Chochy Luce, Grant Jarvis, and Adam McDaniel, raise their helmets during the Alma Mater.
Chochy Luce, Grant Jarvis, and Adam McDaniel, raise their helmets during the Alma Mater.
Grant Jarvis ad Braxton Mayfield celebrate after the Leopards win.
Grant Jarvis ad Braxton Mayfield celebrate after the Leopards win.
Leopard fans celebrate after the final whistle blows.
Leopard fans celebrate after the final whistle blows.
Aaron Fuller tries to escape the Wylie East kickoff team.
Aaron Fuller tries to escape the Wylie East kickoff team.
Chochy Luce runs through the Wylie East defense for a gain.
Chochy Luce runs through the Wylie East defense for a gain.
Aaron Fuller and Chochy Luce celebrate after a Lovejoy touchdown.
Aaron Fuller and Chochy Luce celebrate after a Lovejoy touchdown.
Aaron Fuller scores a touchdown for the Leopards.
Aaron Fuller scores a touchdown for the Leopards.
Senior Dan Sefcik evades Wylie defenders.
Senior Dan Sefcik evades Wylie defenders.
Leopard players wait inside the leopard head prior to the Wylie East game.
Leopard players wait inside the leopard head prior to the Wylie East game.

The Leopards have secured their spot in playoffs.

In a nail-biter of a game at Wylie Stadium, the Leopards came out on top.

The action began almost immediately as the Leopards’ Aaron Fuller scored a quick touchdown and Mick Ellis’ extra point was good for a 7-0 Leopard lead.

Soon after though, the Raiders were on top as they scored a touchdown and were successful with a two point conversion play for a one point lead.

The Raiders scored another touchdown but a failed two point conversion left the score at 14-7 Wylie East.  A Leopards field goal made it 14-10 before the Raiders scored again for a 22-10 lead.

Senior Chochy Luce started a rally with 10:52 left in the first half with a touchdown to close the gap 22-17.

Luce then score another touchdown giving the Leopards a 23-22 lead.  But it didn’t last long.

The Leopards were down again after the Raiders scored a touchdown and got the two point conversion for a 30-23 lead.

However before halftime, the Leopards got another field goal to cut the deficit to 30-26.

The third quarter was scoreless until 3:01 was left, when Luce score yet another touchdown helping give the Leopards a 3 point lead.

Then sophomore quarterback Dakota Michaels went down with an apparent leg injury.

With the second of two quarterbacks out, Luce stepped up, quickly scoring on a rush straight up the middle.

Luce’s fourth touchdown of the game, followed by the extra point gave the Leopards a 40-30 lead with 10:52 left in the game.

Another Raider score made it for 40-37 for the Leopards but then, senior Grant Jarvis scored another Leopard touchdown and with the extra point it was 47-37.

The Raiders were able to score once more but they were still down by three, 47-44 at which point the Leopards were able to run out the clock, earning a playoff bid.

The bi-district game will be played Saturday, November 15, at 1 p.m. in Athens against Hallsville.

For the win over Wylie East the Leopard defense was chosen as the Most Valuable Player(s). The Red Ledger’s Austin Mitchell talked to sophomore Grant Benno and seniors Daaron McFarling and Clayton Merrill, all defensive players, about Friday night’s game.

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