Texas High’s Defense Comes Up Big In Triple-Overtime Win Over Kilgore

[By Josh Richert, Special to ETSN.fm]

TEXARKANA — Texas High intercepted two passes to end Kilgore’s second and third overtime possessions, the latter ending the game and securing a 19-13 win for the Tigers over the visiting Bulldogs on Friday night.

Jacorien Walker hauled in the first touchdown pass for the Tigers and pulled down the Tigers third interception of the game to hand the Bulldogs their third loss of the season — all coming on the final play of the game. Dee Jones had an interception on the Bulldogs’ second OT drive, and Marquan Tucker had a pick at the Texas High 8 in the fourth quarter to thwart another scoring opportunity.

Texas High missed two field goals — the second after Jones’ interception to send the game to the third overtime. Kilgore had a potential game-winner partially blocked as regulation ended.

Jarion Anderson caught a 31-yard touchdown in the Tigers’ possession in triple overtime, getting inside leverage on a skinny post on a third-and-16. It was Cade Pearson’s second TD strike, tossing a 21-harder to Walker in the first quarter.

Ethan Montez booted two field goals for Texas High.

Walker partially blocked Livan Torres’ 34-yard kick attempt as time expired on the fourth quarter.

Torres earlier booted a 22-yard field goal to cap a 10-play, 74-yard drive in the second period. Montez kicked his 22-yarder as the clock ran out on the first half to give Texas High a 10-3 lead.

Kevrin Justice had a 1-yard dive over the top of a pile for Kilgore’s lone TD with 5:31 left in the third quarter. Justice rushed for 133 yards on 27 carries. The Bulldogs had 300 yards of total offense, and Texas High managed 230.

Pearson hit on 13 of 23 passes for 131 yards and two touchdowns.

Kilgore QB Xavier Gaona was 9 of 19 for 75 yards and three picks.

Texas High 19, Kilgore 13 (3OT)

At Tiger Stadium at Grim Park, Texarkana

Kilgore                 0    3    7    0    3    0    0   —  13
Texas High          7    3    0    0    3    0    6   —  19

First Quarter
TH-Jacorien Walker 21 pass from Cade Pearson (Mantas Urniezius kick), 2:58.
Second Quarter
KIL-Livan Torres 23 FG, 6:24.
TH-Ethan Montez 22 FG, :00.
Third Quarter
KIL-Kevrin Justice 1 run (Torres kick), 5:31.
First Overtime
TH-FG Montez 20.
KIL-FG Torres 34.
Third Overtime
TH-Jarion Anderson 31 pass from Pearson (pass failed).

                                                KIL                    TH
First Downs                                16                    13
Total Yards                               300                  230
Rushes-Yards                      51-225              32-99
Passing Yards                             75                 131
Comp.-Att.-Int.                     9-19-3           13-23-0
Fumbles-Lost                            3-0                   3-0
Penalties-Yards                        9-70                5-55
Punts-Avg.                            5-25.0             6-36.3

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
RUSHING—Kilgore, Justice 27-133, Jaquorius Smith 13-69, Xavier Gaona 8-12, Chris Toombs 2-11, Quavion Mumphrey 1-3. Texas High, Javon Thomas 12-48, Demondre Cooper 8-28, Pearson 8-15, Cornelius Zachery 2-14, Walker 1-0, team 1-(minus 6).
PASSING—Kilgore, Gaona 9-19-3-75. Texas High, Pearson 13-23-0-131.
RECEIVING—Kilgore, Victor Wallace 3-22, Nick Orange 2-24, Mumphrey 1-13, Jared Wood 1-10, Justice 1-6, Trey Tinney 1-0. Texas High, Anderson 5-74, Jacoby Block 3-21, Chaz Davis 3-13, Walker 1-21, J’Kardi Witcher 1-2.