David W. Healy
dhealy@ddtonline.com
It was in the fourth overtime when Leland High School’s Jaquez Phillips finally finished it off for the Leland Cubs Friday night in Leland’s 20-14 road victory against rival O’Bannon High School.
Phillips’ fumble recovery ended the game in the fourth extra stanza for the Cubs. After his play, his teammates rushed the field in celebration. The Cubs led the game 14-0 at halftime, and at times seemed on the ropes. But, in the game’s final minutes the Cubs kept making one key play after another to stay alive.”
“This means everything to us,” Phillips said. “We have worked so hard, and now we still have a chance to make the playoffs.”
Leland senior quarterback Tavion Simmons scored the game’s final touchdown in the fourth overtime on a three-yard run. Simmons’ score allowed the Cubs to win the game on one last stand.
Neither the Cubs nor the Greenwaves (2-5) were able to score a point in the first three overtimes thanks to gig defenses plays by both Leland and O’Bannon players.
O’Bannon’s Earl Mckinnie recovered a fumble to stop Leland’s offense in the second overtime. Leland’s Irvin Palmer returned the favor by intercepting an O’Bannon pass in the third overtime.
“This victory is so meaningful because it shows the heart of our players,” Leland (2-7) coach Ricardo Tigler said. “We have had our struggles this season, but we have never given up.”
Before the overtime, Leland’s Marcus Flowers and O’Bannon’s Zion Jessie each owned a half. Flowers’ scored both Leland touchdowns in the first half. After rushing in a touchdown in the first quarter, Flowers caught a 52-yard pass as time expired in the second quarter to put the Cubs up 14-0.
In the second half, O’Bannon’s Jessie scored on an 18-yard run and also caught a 14-yard pass from quarterback Kavion Swilley.
Shaw 14, Simmons 8
SHAW — Simmons High School head football coach Timothy Johnson said his young team battled until the end in the Blue Devils’ loss on the road to Shaw Friday night.
“We just have to keep battling,”Johnson said.
Sophomore running back Jermaine Edwards scored the only touchdown for the Blue Devils. Edwards’ score came in the third quarter.Despite the loss, Coach Johnson said his team still has a lot to play for as the Class 1A state playoffs are just a few weeks away.
“We just have to come together,” Coach Johnson said.
