The Groesbeck Goats piled up 527 yards of offense and defeated McGregor in a shootout 55-37 in Groesbeck Stadium Friday night. The win keeps the Goats alive for a playoff spot, but they must beat Whitney on the road in the season finale.
The Groesbeck defense held the Bulldogs and forced a punt for the first Groesbeck highlight of the game. The punt came down to Ameer Lee and he returned it 64 yards for the touchdown with 10:26 remaining in the first quarter.
McGregor has not led in many district games this season, but they went on a 14-0 run to end the first quarter to take the lead. Zach Williams scored on a three-yard touchdown run and Jhobe Smith caught a 19-yard pass from VeAndre McDaniel to take a 14-6 lead at the end of the first quarter.
Groesbeck closed to within one point early in the second quarter. Quarterback Ty Hale dropped to pass and found Jake Pringle for the 25-yard touchdown. Dylan Rand added the point after and the Goats trailed by one at 14-13 with 10:51 remaining in the second quarter.
The Goats took the lead on their next possession on Ameer Lee’s second touchdown of the night. His 14-yard run put the Goats in front at 20-14.
Following a Bulldog field goal, Lee hit with another big play. He scored on a six-yard touchdown with 53 seconds remaining in the first half and the kick by Rand extended the lead to 27-17.
The second half did not lack for excitement as the shootout continued. Hale hit Beau Pagel for a 28-touchdown pass for the first score of the second half.
McGregor answered on a two-yard run by Cade Zacharieas with just shy of four minutes to go in the third quarter.
Hale guided the offense and were able to give the Goats some breathing room. Hale tossed a 53-yard touchdown pass to Rand and then ran in one in the final minute of the third and the Goats took a 48-24 lead into the fourth quarter.
McGregor attempted a comeback, but it would not get the Bulldogs back under double figures. McDaniel threw a 64-yard touchdown pass to Gabe Koerth to cut the lead to 48-31.
Lee scored on a one-yard run with just under three minutes to go and the Goats gave up another touchdown with eight seconds to go to set up the final score of 55-37.
Ameer Lee ran for 175 yards on 25 carries and three touchdowns and added the punt return for four total touchdowns. Ty Hale had an efficient night completing 14 passes in 20 attempts for 259 yards and three touchdowns.
The Groesbeck Goats take to the road in the final week of the regular season and their playoff potential is very simple. Groesbeck must win over the Whitney Wildcats to secure the final playoff spot. Grandview will win the district with a win over Maypearl and Teague will play at West with a second and third place finish on the line.
Scott Batts reporting.
