Lindale Scores Overtime Win Over Rival Whitehouse In Season Finale

WHITEHOUSE -- Junior running back Ryan Taylor scored on a 1-yard run in overtime to lift the Lindale Eagles to a 27-24 season-ending win over arch-rival Whitehouse on Friday night at Wildcat Stadium.

Taylor, who has been a major factor in Lindaleʼs offense for the past few weeks, racked up his fifth straight 100-yard rushing game, posting 141 yards on 32 carries.

The Eagles (3-7, 2-5) had a chance to win the game in regulation, but after recovering a Whitehouse (5-5, 2-5) fumble at the Wildcatsʼ 14, kicker Jordan Lawless' 23-yard attempt was blocked, sending the game to overtime.

Sophomore quarterback Montana Meador was proficient through the air, connecting on 9 of 16 passes for 182 yards and a touchdown.

The Wildcats jumped out to a 7-0 lead with 7:01 left in the first period as quarterback Nate Brooks connected with Trent Williams on a 49-yard score.

After the ensuing kickoff, Lindale marched 69 yards in eight plays, with the payoff coming on a bit of razzle-dazzle when receiver Garrett Sir Louis took a double-reverse pitch and found his brother Cameron Sir Louis alone in the end zone.

In the second quarter, the Eagles forced a short punt from the Wildcats and took over on the Whitehouse 49. On second down, Meador found Tayton Williams down the left sideline and, after an acrobatic catch, the Eagles wound up on the Whitehouse 16.

Two plays later, Meador found Cameron Sir Louis in the left flat for a 14-yard score. With time running short in the half, Whitehouse drove 87 yards to score, with most of that yardage coming on a 55-yard completion from Brooks to Dominque Hollie. Vincent Dunning scored from 13 yards out to tie the game with just 11 seconds left in the half.

The second half was just as tight as the first, with both defenses rising up to make key third-down stops and forcing punts.

The Wildcats took a 21-14 lead with 10:49 left in the game on an 8-yard run from Hollie, but two possessions later, Lindale tied the game on a 1-yard plunge from Bryce Barkowsky.

In overtime, Lindaleʼs defense forced the Wildcats to settle for a field goal.

Meador connected with Cameron Sir Louis yet again for 13 yards and two plays later, Taylor bulled his way over for the game winner.