Chapel Hill’s Run At State 7-on-7 Stopped By Kountze in Division II Round of 16

COLLEGE STATION -- The day couldn't have started any better for Chapel Hill. Unfortunately for the Bulldogs, the positive vibe lasted for just another hour.

Following a thrilling double-overtime, comeback win over Sweetwater, Chapel Hill was eliminated from the Division II championship bracket of the Texas State 7-on-7 Championships with a 27-20 loss to Kountze in the Round of 16 on Friday morning.

Chapel Hill, which swept through pool play Thursday, never led Sweetwater until senior wideout Jeffery Minor's scoring reception in the first overtime put Chapel Hill in front, 33-26.

Konnor Hitchcock's game-winning 15-yard touchdown pass to fellow junior Reggie King on the first play of Chapel Hill's second overtime possession gave the Bulldogs a thrilling 39-33 victory. The clinching score following an impressive four-down stop inside its own 15.

The Bulldogs trailed by two touchdowns early in the second half.

King finished with two touchdown catches, the first of which tied the game at 26-26 late in the second half. Chapel Hill junior Deundre Phillips led all Bulldog receivers with three TD grabs, including a 45-yarder that cut Sweetwater's lead to 26-20.

J'Braylon Franklin and Marcos Calderon provided a spark on defense with one interception apiece for Chapel Hill.

The Bulldogs never found their rhythm against Kountze, but still had a chance to tie the game with less than two minutes remaining. The opportunity was wasted when a Lions defender jumped in front of a Hitchcock pass in the end zone for an interception.

Zack Walters had two touchdown receptions for Chapel Hill, while Minor accounted for the other Bulldogs score.