Mooreland High’s football team may have controlled the clock and compiled more yardage Friday night, but it’s the Crescent Tigers who are moving on to the third round of the Class A state playoffs after rallying for a 19-18 victory in Crescent.
The Tigers will now travel to Harrah on Friday for a 7 p.m. game with Gore (11-0) from District A-8. Gore, which has eight shutouts this season, defeated Woodland 55-20.
The Tigers found themselves behind 12-0 early in the game, trailed 12-7 at halftime, and 18-7 early in the third quarter.
Tanner Rice led the way with two touchdowns, on 1- and 2-yard runs. Kade Varner kicked the first PAT in the second quarter and hooked up with CJ Wilson on a 15-yard pass play with 10 minutes to go in the game to provide the winning margin as the defense didn’t buckle the rest of the way.
Mooreland piled up 347 yards in total offense (253 on the ground). The Tigers ended up with 262 yards of total offense (196 on the ground). Rice led the way with 20 carries for 121 yards.
Mooreland controlled the clock for 28 minutes and 65 plays. The Tigers had the ball 20 minutes and only ran 47 plays.
Neither team was very sharp in the passing game. Varner was 6-for-16 for 66 yards, while Mooreland’s passing offense was 8-for-21 for 94 yards.
Besides Rice’s 121 rushing yards, Wilson chipped in with four carries for 42 yards and Varner had four carries for 21 yards.
Rice also had one pass reception for 30 yards, while Chism Watson and Isaiah Lovett each had a catch for 14 yards.
On the defensive side of the ball, Luke Descher and Lovett led the way with six tackles each. Mason Payne chipped in with five tackles, and Gabe South and Tylan Neugent each had four to highlight the solid defensive effort.
Tickets for Friday night’s game are online at OSSAA. com. Tickets at the gate are cash only for $10.