The most anticipated matchup in the East Texas region lived up to the hype with the Malakoff Tigers scoring a touchdown with 15 seconds remaining to escape the Teague Lions 40-36 Friday night in Malakoff.
The Tigers came into the game ranked third in the associated press rankings and the Lions played their most complete game of the season in the thriller.
The defenses of both teams set the tone of the night with a scoreless first quarter. Timely hitting and excellent schemes kept the offenses off the scoreboard. The second quarter was the total opposite.
On the first play of the second quarter, Breashawn Williams scored on a one yard plunge for the first score of the game. The point after gave the Tigers a 7-0 and the score opened the flood gates to the end zone.
Teague had a small mishap on the ensuing kickoff. The ball came loose and Azaya Patrick scooped it up and raced to the Teague 49-yard line. At the end of the drive, the Lions moved into a formation that is seldom used but was very effective. Tyrese Heard took the direct snap in the wildcat formation and scored on a three-yard touchdown run. Ismael Diaz tied the score with the point after with 7:49 remaining in the first half.
The lead would last until the next drive for Malakoff. Quarterback Judd Miller tossed a pass to Tyler Russell. The 50-yard pass play gave the Tigers the lead midway through the second quarter.
It took only two minutes for the Lion offense to match the score with one of their own. Senior quarterback Antonio Heard completed only two pass on the night but the first went to Patrick for a 31-yard score and the Diaz kick tied the score at 14-14.
Malakoff was driving to regain the lead and pushed into Teague territory. Miller dropped back and tossed downfield and JaQuallyn Daniels stepped in front of the intended receiver. He raced the other way 90 yards for the go-ahead touchdown and the Lions had their first lead of the game. The two-point conversion was good and the Lions led 22-14 with 1:33 remaining in the first half.
The Tigers were able to draw closer just before intermission. Miller connected with Russell for the second time in the contest, this one for a ten-yard score. The try for two to tie the score was no good and the Lions held onto a 22-20 lead at the half.
Teague had the ball first in the second half and made the most of it with points. Antonio Heard ended the drive with his second completion of the night and his second touchdown. Anthony Weathers scored his second touchdown in as many weeks with a 26-yard completion. The Diaz kick was good and the Lions built their biggest lead of the game at nine points 29-20 with 9:29 remaining in the third quarter.
Malakoff continued the offensive explosion with a Williams three-yard touchdown run to cut the lead to 29-27. Everado Garcia added a late 31-yard field goal to give the Tigers a one point lead, 30-29, heading into the fourth quarter.
Following a Garcia 35 field goal to extend the lead to 33-29 for the Tigers, the Lion running game took over in the early moments of the final quarter. Tayvis Coleman had 68 of his 141 yards on one run with a touchdown run to regain the lead 36-33 with just over eight minutes left in regulation.
Teague had an opportunity to close the game out but the Tigers got a stop and patiently moved down the field. Miller mixed up the passing game and good use of time management put the Tiger in position. With less than 30 seconds remaining, Miller tossed a short pass into the arms of Q.T. Barker. He took care of the rest by getting into the end zone and scoring the game winning touchdown.
The Lions have clinched second place in District 9-3A Division I behind the Malakoff Tigers. They will finish at home against the Palestine Westwood Panthers and most likely take on the Franklin Lions in the first round of the playoffs. West will take third place in district and Groesbeck and Elkhart are tied for fourth and the Goats hold the tiebreaker advantage heading into the final week of the regular season.
Scott Batts reporting.
