Rabbs’ season is over
Gladewater beats Atlanta, 34-33
LONGVIEW, Texas—It was a game of big plays and one mighty big fullback.
Gladewater's 320-pound running back Daylon Mack scored on runs of 37 and 67 yards in the fourth quarter, adding the decisive two-pointer as the Bears ended Atlanta's season, 34-33.
In winning the Region II-3A area playoff game, the Bears improved to 6-6 on the season. They will play Gainesville or Bonham in the quarterfinals next week.
Earlier this season, Gladewater, which suited up 70 players—two seniors—rallied for 32 second half points to beat Atlanta, 46-34. This time around the Rabbs led 30-20 entering the final quarter thanks to three Nick Bishop field goals in the second half.
Mack, who had carried the ball only 13 times all season coming into the game, finished with 179 yards on 18 carries as Gladewater piled up 416 yards on the ground.
Atlanta had a chance to pull out the win after Mack's amazing 67-yarder, but a fourth-and-1 fumble at the Bears' 35 sealed the deal for the Bears.
The Rabbs added to their halftime lead when Jace Flowers caught a short pass from junior quarterback Chase Musgrove and raced 77 yards for a touchdown. Bishop's kick made it 24-14 with 8:44 left in the third period.
Gladewater was punting on its ensuing possession when the punter dropped the ball for a 12-yard loss, giving Atlanta field position at the Bears' 15. The next three plays gained five yards and Bishop booted a 27-yard field goal.
As if it wasn't enough Mack hauled in a screen from Nick Canaguier and rambled 36 yards for a first down at the Hares' 11. Darnell McKnight would score his second TD seconds later.
It didn't look good for Atlanta early, with the Bears romping 56 yards in eight plays on their first possession for a touchdown.
The score came on a two-yard plunge by Mack, who also scored two extra points to make it 8-0 with 6:54 left in the first quarter
The Rabbs did little on their first two possessions, but had the ball back at the Bears' 31 when Cullen Rich recovered Mack's fumble.
Musgrove and Allen took turns running the ball down to the 1, and Atlanta's talented signal-called kept for the Rabbs' first points. Musgrove then passed to Zach Marsh for the tying points.
Atlanta was driving again, but Musgrove's long pass was intercepted by the Bears' Jazsten Tyiska in his own end zone for a touchback.
That set in motion an 85-yard scoring drive, highlighted by a 62-yard run by James Reese.
The momentum quickly changed
when the PAT kick was blocked and scooped up by Kenneth Houff, who raced 87 yards for two points.
Starting at their own 35, Musgrove passed the Hares to a quick score with passes to Nigel Johnson, including a 23-yard scoring pass with 31 seconds left before intermission. Nick Bishop's kick made it 17-14.
Bishop wasn't the Rabbs only hero of the game. Musgrove scored a touchdown and passed for two more while running for 69 yards and passing for 204. Nigel Johnson was on the receiving end of seven passes for 84 yards.
Tailback James Reese ran for 103 yards to compliment Mack's big game. Atlanta 0 17 13 3 — 33 gladewater 8 6 6 14 — 34
First Quarter
G-Daylon Mack 2 run (Mack run), 6:54
second Quarter A-Chase Musgrove 1 run (Musgrove pass to Zach Marsh), 9:30 G-Darnell McKnight 1 run (kick blocked), 1:44 A-Kenneth Houff 87 return blocked PAT, 1:44 A-Nigel Johnson 23 pass from Musgrove (Nick Bishop kick), 0:31
Third Quarter A-Jace Flowers 77 pass from Musgrove (Bishop kick), 8:44 A-Bishop 27 field goal, 5:39 G-McKnight 13 run (kick fails), 2:45 A-Bishop 29 field goal, 1:33
Fourth Quarter G-Mack 37 run (run fails), 9:03 A-Bishop 28 field goal, 7:16 G-Mack 67 run (Mack run), 5:59
Atlanta g’water First Downs 12 16 Yards Rushing 26-97 56-416 Yards Passing 213 45 Passes A-C-I 22-12-1 7-3-0
Fumbles-Lost 2-1 3-1 Penalties 4-44 3-25 Punts-Avg. 3-34.3 3-33.3
iNdiVidUAl sTATisTics
RUSHING: Atlanta, Musgrove 11-69, Dequan Allen 14-27, Eddrick King 1-1. GLW, Nick Canaguier 2-48, James Reese 12-103, Justice Centers 2-10, Daylon Mack 18-179, Marcello Jackson 5-18, Daryl Polk 2-10, Darnell McKnight 14-48, Hagan Cooper 1minus 12.
PASSING: Atlanta, Musgrove 11-21-1-204, Flowers 1-1-0-9. GLW, Canaguier 3-7-0-45.
RECEIVING: Atlanta, Nigel Johnson 784, Allen 2-34, Zach Marsh 1-1, Dwayne Washington 1-17, Flowers 1-77. GLW, McKnight 1-5, Bailey Glenn 1-4, Mack 1-36.