Marla Jones, Sports Editor
marla@southerntorch.com
ANNISTON, ALA.-- The Saks Wildcats defeated the Plainview Bears, 46-43, in the first round of the Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA) State Playoffs.
The Wildcats put the first points on the board with a 12-yard rushing touchdown, with 8:14 remaining in the first quarter. The Wildcats successfully went for two to take the 8-0 lead over the Bears. With 3:30 remaining in the opening quarter, Dylan McCullough sailed in from 26-yards out to score for the Bears. McCullough brought in the extra two points for the 8-8 tie. Levi Brown stampeded in from 64-yards out for another Bear touchdown. The extra point by Aurturo Medrano gave the Bears the 15-8 advantage closing out the first quarter.
The Plainview Bears kicked off the second quarter with a 12-yard rushing touchdown by McCullough. Medrano made the extra point. The Wildcats answered back with a 21-yard rushing touchdown and brought in the two-point conversion bringing the score to 22-16, with 5:39 remaining in the first half. With 2:36 remaining in the second quarter, Noah White connected to Joshua Sandlin for the 5-yard Plainview touchdown. The PAT by Medrano gave the Bears the 29-16 lead over the Wildcats. In the final :20 of the quarter, Saks scored a touchdown to end the half, with Plainview having the 29-24 lead.
With 6:11 remaining in the third quarter, the Sax quarterback made the 38-yard connection for the Wildcat touchdown. The Wildcats successfully went for two to take the 32-29 lead. Plainview answered back with a touchdown by Noah White, with :25 remaining in the third. The Bears unsuccessfully went for two making the score, 35-32.
Saks scored on a 16-yard rushing touchdown, with 9:57 remaining in the fourth quarter.
The Wildcats successfully went for two, making the score 40-35. With 6:51 remaining in the game, McCullough darted into the endzone from 1-yard out. The Bears went for two to take the 43-40 lead. The Wildcats scored with 2:32 remaining in the game on an 88-yard touchdown pass to win with a score of 46-43.
Plainview finished the night with 507 yards, compared to Saxs with 412 yards. Levi Brown led the Bears with 163 total yards. Andrew Hall had 121 yards, followed by Dylan McCullough with 103 yards for the Plainview Bears.
The Plainview Bears finish the 2021 season with a 7-4 overall record.
