Photo credit, Andre Odums/ossports
“They found a way to win tonight,” says Klein Collins’ Adrian Mitchell. “They found a way to make plays, offensively, defensively, and on special teams.”
Representing the path to 15-6A district championship could not have showcased a stronger performance on a night overflowing with huge plays.
Senior quarterback Braydon Schoggin threw a ten-yard touchdown pass to receiver TyDrick Finley with 29 seconds left, sealing a 45-42 win for Klein Collins against Magnolia in a pivotal district matchup at Klein Memorial Stadium on Thursday night.
Schoggin delivered a lateral pass to Finley, who drew tight coverage, but with some clever moves, the speedy receiver managed to evade three defenders and sprinted into the end zone for the game-winning touchdown. Finley also caught a two-point conversion, boosting the Tigers’ lead to 45-42.
“I started seeing red,” Finley explained. “If the ball is there, I’m going to get it.” The old saying is that defense wins championships. Our offense fed off the momentum of this seesaw affair.”
However, the contest used every second of the clock before the dust settled. The undefeated Bulldogs used its time effectively, advancing into field-goal range, where kicker Gavin Gonzales’ 51-yard attempt veered wide left as time expired.
Junior quarterback Chase Lowery launched an incomplete pass, and Tigers’ cornerback Christian Wilkerson broke up another throw, leading to a fourth and three. But, a pass interference penalty against the Tigers’ defensive back Makell Wilson granted Magnolia a first down at the Klein Collins’ 34-yard line with just one second left.
Despite Klein Collins (7-1, 5-1) trailing, 42-24 with 11:22 left in the fourth quarter following Lowery’s connection with senior receiver Jayden Cooper on a stunning 85-yard fly route, it battled back with consecutive scoring drives, aided by Wilson’s interception at the Magnolia’s 36-yard line with 8:40 to go.
“The fight of our kids is unreal, said coach Adrian Mitchell. “Many times the kids respond to the way our coaches respond, and our coaches responded the right way on both sides of the ball.”
The brief drive consisted of eight plays as Schoggin powered his way into the end zone from the one-yard line, reducing the deficit to 42-37 following Samual Galeas’ extra point kick with 4:41 remaining.
Schoggin accumulated 131 rushing yards and passed for 292 yards. Aiyden Benford recorded four receptions for 134 yards, while Adrian Jenkins had five catches totaling 113 yards.
Klein Collins failed to recover an onside kick, allowing Lowery to orchestrate a five-play series that helped the Bulldogs reach the 25-yard line, where it faced fourth-and-two. Magnolia’s head coach, Craig Martin, called a timeout. When play resumed, instead of attempting a field goal, Lowery came up a yard shy of the mark to gain, which forced a turnover on downs with 1:55 remaining in the game.
Schoggin directed the offense on a 77-yard drive. A pass interference penalty, along with Schoggin’s 27-yard throw to receiver Aiyden Benford at Magnolia’s 18-yard line, energized the home crowd. However, the Tigers encountered a setback, marking one of six false start penalties throughout the evening, with one occurring on each of its initial three possessions. Following an incompletion with one minute remaining, Schoggin successfully connected with receiver Adrian Jenkins at the ten-yard line just before Finley’s fireworks.
Magnolia (6-1, 4-1) led 21-17 at intermission and extended its lead in the third quarter.
Klein Collins encountered another false start while facing fourth and one as the offense gave way to the punting team.
Lowery, who completed 20-for-28 with 330 passing yards and added 153 rushing yards on 11 attempts, served as a constant challenge for the Tigers’ defense. He made crucial throws and impressed the crowd with his agility.
Following four straight completions, Lowery gained 25 yards, progressing the ball to the Tigers’ 35-yard line. In a similar situation to Klein Collins, the Bulldogs faced a fourth down and inches, but junior running back Cash Ferrell powered through to the 23-yard line and scored on the subsequent play. Magnolia led 28-17 after Gonzales’ successful extra point kick.
Magnolia’s senior receiver Joseph Solomon had eight targets, resulting in 152 yards. Cooper finished the game with five receptions totaling 126 yards.
Then, both teams exchanged 75-yard scoring drives to conclude the third quarter, with the Bulldogs leading 35-24.
In the first quarter, both teams punted after its opening possessions. Then, Lowery orchestrated a 70-yard drive, finishing it with a 35-yard scoring run, giving the Bulldogs a 7-0 advantage with 6:35 remaining.
Klein Collins responded by advancing 74 yards in seven plays. Schoggin, who performed admirably like Lowery, discovered a gap in the Bulldogs’ defense and gained 31 yards to reach Magnolia’s 39-yard line. The clever quarterback then added a 17-yard run before Finley capped the quarter with a 15-yard touchdown run, leveling the score at 7-7 after Galeas’ kick.
Wilson’s recovery of a fumble on the Bulldogs’ 40-yard line with 3:32 remaining in the first quarter enabled the Tigers to take the lead, 14-7, when Schoggin charged into the end zone for a one-yard touchdown.
Magnolia made a strategic decision to reposition Navy linebacker commit Tyler Covar, utilizing him on both sides of the defense, particularly in key areas where the Tigers were causing considerable upheaval. Covar’s performance included vital stops that resulted in no gain, as well as tackles for loss. Despite his efforts, Klein Collins continued to answer.
“It was a dogfight back and forth,” Covar responded. “They have a good front line. “I think we battled correctly, they just came out on top at the end of day.”
The Bulldogs knotted the score at 14-14 with Ferrell’s two-yard run before heading into the locker room with a 21-17 lead, during which Covar sacked Schoggin, concluding the first half.”