December 6, 2019

Pottsboro 35, Gladewater 34 2 OT: During Pottsboro’s run to its first-ever state title game appearance, the Cardinals had a run of close wins that were quite impressive.

In Pottsboro’s three wins from the regional semifinals to the state semifinals, the Cardinals margin of victory was a combined nine points. The second of those three wins came in an absolute classic in the 3A Division I Region II finals, a 35-34 double overtime thriller over Gladewater.

The combination of QB Braden Plyler and WR Titus Lyons proved to be the difference for the Cardinals as Plyler ran for 67 yards and a touchdown to go along with 242 yards and three touchdowns passing. Lyons caught six passes for 183 yards and two touchdowns.

Pottsboro dominated the first three quarters of action running out to a 21-7 lead. Gladewater had three trips in the red zone that came away with no points while PHS was efficient on its drives.

Gladewater climbed back in the game with 6:32 remaining as Elijah Carter scored on a nine-yard run to cut the lead to 21-13. Carter led Gladewater with 184 yards on the ground and two rushing touchdowns.

Pottsboro would take four minutes off the clock before the Bears stopped a fake punt on their own 41 and took over with just over two minutes left and needing 59 yards to tie the game up. Gladewater, which had all the momentum, needed just five plays to tie it up as Tristan Holmes scored on a one-yard run and then on the two-point try Holmes tied the game up with a pass to Jailyn Robertson.

With 1:19 left, Pottsboro was attempting to move the ball, but a sack ended its hopes of a game winning drive. Of note on the sack, Pottsboro QB Plyler lost the ball and the ball was scooped up by a Gladewater defensive lineman who ran in the end zone, but the officials ruled Plyler down.

In overtime, Gladewater needed just two plays to score as Carter raced in for a 35-yard touchdown run to give the Bears a 28-21 lead. Pottsboro on its first overtime series, needed just one play to score as Plyler and Lyons hooked up for a 25-yard touchdown to tie the game again.

Pottsboro would score on its second OT series when, on 4th and goal at the 1, Plyler scored from a yard out to put Pottsboro up 35-28.

Gladewater on their second overtime series would score on third and goal from the seven as Holmes and Robertson hooked up for a seven-yard touchdown pass. Gladewater head coach John Berry elected to go for two and the win and Holmes appeared to have a man open in the back of the end zone, but Pottsboro pressure forced Holmes to keep the ball a tick longer than he wanted and the pass fell incomplete, allowing Pottsboro to advance with an absolute heart stopping 35-34 win.

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