Lindale Eagles. (Michel Alfaro/Tyler Morning Telegraph)

STAFF REPORTS

ORANGE — Lindale continued their late season impressive play by opening the Class 4A Division I playoffs with a 49-21 bi-district victory over Little Cypress-Mauriceville on Friday at Battlin’ Bear Stadium.

The Eagles (6-5) advance to meet Navasota, a 49-18 winner over Houston Yates, in area play next week. The Rattlers are 6-5 and are the No. 3 seed from District 12-4A Division I.

The Bears end their season at 8-3.

Lindale, which defeated Henderson 45-0 last week to earn a playoff berth as the No. 4 seed from District 9-4A Division I, took it to the Bears, the District 10-4A Division I champions. LC-M saw its eight-game winning streak snapped. It was the first loss by the Bears since Sept. 6, a 27-14 defeat to Silsbee.

Eagle sophomore quarterback David Lindig threw for 356 yards and four TDs by hitting on 15 of 22 passing attempts.

The Eagles took a 7-0 lead as Reed Carnathan jump high to gather in a 24-yard TD reception between two Bears. Seth Baggett made the PAT.

After the Bears tied the game at 7-7, Chad Ward hauled in a 35-yard reception down to the five yard line. Later, behind Hayden Gateley’s block, Caleb Hart scored on a 4-yard run. Baggett’s PAT made it 14-7 with 13 seconds left in the first quarter. It was his ninth TD of the season.

Later, Ward had a 36-yard reception to set up A’Million Johnson’s 6-yard dash. Baggett’s kick put the Eagles up 21-7 with 3:14 in the second quarter.

Ward scored on a 19-yard reverse. Baggett’s PAT made it 28-7 with 12:94 of the third quarter.

Jacob Pettway then picked off his second pass of the season. The interceptin set up Caleb Hart’s 2-yard TD run and Baggett’s PAT for a 35-7 advantage.

After an unsportsmanlike penalty on the Bears, the Eagles tried an onside kick that Chad Ward recovered.

Carnathan then gathered in a 13-yard pass from Lindig. Baggett’s point-after made it 42-7. After the Bears pulled within 42-14, Kaden Fowler had a 50-yard run. Baggett made the PAT.

Kaleb Walker, Matthew Kenney, Hudson Legrow, Cam Beason, Jackson Legrow, among others, were stars on defense.

The Eagles are in the playoffs for the seventh consecutive season and 21st time since 1998.

Kenny Smith, of the onthecall.net, contributed to this article.