Tigers nip Boyd, win 28-27

It’s not always the quarterbacks and running backs who are the difference makers in a football game. Sometimes it’s the kickers and the defensive linemen.

Such was the case in the waning minutes of Friday’s Jacksboro home opener with Boyd. Boyd’s Dakota Barrow had a fumble bounce into his hands and rumbled 51 yards to the end zone with it to break a 21-all tie. The extra point try failed with 6:44 left.

Barely three minutes later, the Tigers evened the score at 27 as Kaleem Howard caught his second TD pass of the night from Lando Belcher. This time, however, Jacksboro kicker Randall Bustos split the uprights to give the Tigers a 28-27 lead.

The Tiger defense held on late to preserve to the win, evening both team’s record at 1-1.

The first half was an offensive shootout that went back and forth for a combined 586 yards. Boyd took the opening kick and marched 61 yards in five plays. The last 27 was a touchdown toss from Braden McIntire to Carter Mc-Clure for a 7-0 ‘Jacket lead less than two minutes into the fray.

Undaunted, Jacksboro needed just 52 seconds to tie the game. Luke Sams found a seam and split defenders on his way to a 70-yard touchdown jaunt.

Boyd looked poised to score again but a fourth down pass inside the Tiger 15 fell short. Jacksboro marched 94 yards in eight plays. A 30-yard Belcher run moved to the ball into Jacket territory.

Three plays later, Belcher hooked up with Tyler Mitchell on a 34-yard scoring pass for a 14-7 Jacksboro lead.

The squads exchanged fumble recoveries in the second quarter, Jacksboro’s coming via Paul Shackelford at the Boyd 32. Three plays later on third-and-six, Belcher found Howard for the first of his two scores to extend the lead to 21-7 with 5:06 left in the first half.

The visitors went 67 yards in less than three minutes on the ensuing drive, Gavin Rosado punching it into the promised land from nine yards out with 2:11 left in the half to cut the lead to 21-14.

Boyd’s defense came through moments later with a Jake Thomas interception to set up shop at the Boyd 48. Rosado capped the seven play drive with a threeyard run with just 17 seconds left to tie the game at 21.

The third quarter was a defensive free for all with each team coming through a with another fumble recovery, Jacksboro’s by Kade Dennis, but to no avail.

In the final moments, Boyd was driving into Jacksboro territory, but a defensive stop by Cannon Valenzuela on third down and a tipped pass on fourth down by Kasey Ray Swan sealed the Yellowjackets’ fate.

Jacksboro play at home Friday to face Peaster in a 7 p.m. kickoff.