Shamar Davis scored on an 86-yard touchdown run in the final quarter to lift the Teague Lions to a key district win over the Mexia Blackcats 26-21 at Lion Stadium in Teague Friday night.
The teams met for the first time in several years and they were realigned by the UIL last February. The Limestone and Freestone County teams were all together in the district but then were put together and the rivalries completely restored.
The Lions took the ball first and the offense got instant success on a pass from Zak Leija to Jehmel Rice covering 30 yards into Blackcat territory. The Mexia defense stiffened and the Lions faced a fourth and seven from the Mexia 41. Following a timeout, the offense returned to the field and Leija hit senior receiver Caden Gonzales up the seam for the 41-yard touchdown and the Lions were on the board early. The try for two failed and the Lions had a 6-0 lead with 9:48 remaining in the opening quarter.
Teague made a couple of other drives and one at the beginning of the second quarter ended on fourth down. Mexia defenders Marshall Eberle and Deandr’a Sandles teamed up for a quarterback sack and the Lions drive stalled inside the Mexia 20.
Midway through the second quarter, the Lions tacked on a second touchdown to extend the lead. Leija dropped to pass and found J’Kybryen Harris for a 37-yard touchdown catch and run. The touchdown stretched the Teague lead to 12-0 on the bad snap on the point after.
The Blackcats had a threatening drive before the end of the first half. Emaje Holmes came from the Lion defensive front for a big hit and the next two plays had big yards for the Blackcat offense. Junior quarterback Brett Swift hit Kyran Bedford for a 39-yard gain across midfield.
Swift then found Tej Bryant for another 20 yards and a first down to the Lion 23-yard line. The Blackcats took three shots toward the endzone and faced a fourth down. The pass attempt to Bryant was knocked away with :44 seconds remaining and the Blackcats turned the ball over on downs and the Lions had a 12-0 lead at the half.
Mexia took the second half kickoff and moved quickly downfield. Sophomore running back Jacques Cooper a couple of good runs for a first down. The Blackcats would reach the endzone on a pass to Bryant for 28 yards and Hector Sanchez added the extra point and Mexia cut the lead to 12-7 with 9:13 remaining in the third quarter.
The Blackcats would take the lead in only 14 seconds. On the ensuing kickoff, Gonzales fielded the kick and reached the 30-yard line. He was tackled at that point and about the time he reached the ground, Blackcat defender Nate Burns took the ball away and raced up the near sideline for a 31-yard fumble return for the touchdown. Sanchez added the extra point and the Blackcats led 14-12 with still 8:59 remaining in the third.
The teams exchanged possessions and near the end of the third quarter, the Lions put points on the board to regain the lead. Leija passed to inside the Blackcat 20 and a flag was thrown and the Blackcats were called for pass interference. The ball was moved to the Mexia four-yard line and three plays later, Davis scored on a one yard run and put the Lions ahead in the game with 2:13 remaining in the third. Harris added the conversion run and the Lions took a 20-14 lead.
Defenses stood tall in the final moments of the third and through the first half of the fourth quarter. Each team had a chance in the final quarter and Mexia was stopped on an interception by Gonzales. Teague had the opportunity at the Mexia 30 and the drive ended on an interception by Bryant.
Into the fourth quarter, the Blackcats drove into Lion territory and the passing of Swift and finding Bryant running free in the secondary allowed them into scoring position. Swift passed inside the ten-yard line and Braden Gauntt intercepted it and the Lions took over at their five-yard line.
On a third and one from the Lion 14, the direct snap went to Davis and he weaved his way through the Blackcat defense and turned on the afterburners for an 86-yard touchdown run to take a double-digit lead. The kick was no good and the lead stood at 26-14 with 1:44 remaining in the game.
The Blackcats drew back to within five on a 41-yard pass to Bryant with 1:29 remaining but the onside kick was covered by the Lions and the victory formation preserved the Teague win.
The Teague Lions and Groesbeck Goats are deadlocked in a tie for second in the district 8-3A Division I standings behind unbeaten Malakoff. Mexia falls to a tie with Fairfield at 2-2 but the Blackcats hold the tiebreaker in that scenario.
Teague will travel to Groesbeck on Friday night to battle the Goats in a huge matchup Friday night. The Goats lost to Fairfield 28-7 last Friday.
(Photos by Jessica Risken)
