ROUGH START
Choctaw comes from behind to win, 35-34, in overtime
SHAWNEE — Choctaw survived, even if it wasn’t pretty.
On a night highlighted by nearly 30 penalties and four turnovers, the sixth-ranked Yellowjackets rallied to spoil No. 9 Shawnee’s Class 6A-II debut for a 35-34 overtime victory late Friday night at Jim Thorpe Stadium.
Choctaw had to rally from an 18-point first-half deficit and then score late in the fourth to even force overtime. From there, the Yellowjackets finally caught a break.
Shawnee quarterback Heath Hunter made a huge play to score a touchdown after Choctaw took a 35-28 lead, throwing a nice touchdown pass to Trenton Skinner for the second time.
But Shawnee’s extrapoint attempt went awry with a low snap. Skinner, the holder, was forced to throw up a wild pass that hit the turf and ignited a celebration from Choctaw on the field.
Both teams were sloppy, combining for 28 penalties in a game that lasted well beyond 3 hours in the clearest evidence that Zero Week can have its pitfalls.
But that just left time for more drama.
With 4:52 remaining, Shawnee took the lead when Hunter looked to his right to draw the defense away from Skinner, who stood in
the left corner of the end zone wide open.
Choctaw remained calm, though, and powered its way to overtime, scoring with 1:14 remaining on a 23-yard touchdown pass from Thad Williams to Zane Coleman.
In overtime, Deysean Moore scored on a 10-yard run on the second play and Jacob Dunning’s extra point proved the decisive point.
Trailing 21-3 in the second, the Yellowjackets began to chip away late in the first half, scoring with 1:46 remaining when Corey Williams scored on a 7-yard run and looked to be poised for a quick comeback after forcing Shawnee into a safety on a holding penalty. But receiver Coleman fumbled the ball away near the 10 with 11 seconds remaining in the half.
Shawnee had a 21-12 lead at the break, after surviving a half that lasted 97 minutes and was highlighted by 20 total penalties, an ejection of Choctaw’s Cole Smith and three turnovers.
Shawnee had 13 of the penalties and a turnover, but it took advantage of miscues by Choctaw.
Choctaw attempted a fake punt on its opening drive, but only gave a short field to Shawnee at the 26. Four plays later, Shawnee running back Trejuan Shaw scored the first of his two first-half touchdowns.
Choctaw appeared poised to respond, but running back Blake Muse fumbled the ball away in the end zone.
Shawnee took a 14-3 lead with 7:29 left in the half on a keeper by Hunter. It made it 21-3 with a 6-yard TD run by Shaw 4 minutes later.