Malakoff quarterback Mike Jones (12) dashes for a first down during Friday’s playoff game with Jefferson at Christus Trinity Mother Frances Rose Stadium. (Michel Alfaro/Tyler Morning Telegraph)

Jack Hustead picked off three passes to highlight a tough Tiger defense as Malakoff won a battle of unbeaten teams, 31-21, on Friday in a Class 3A Division I regional football playoff game in Tyler.

Malakoff (13-0), the defending state champion, advances to the quarterfinals to take on Liberty-Eylau, a 56-49 winner over Winnsboro, back at Christus Trinity Mother Frances Rose Stadium on Friday, Dec. 6. The Leopards are 11-2 and their losses were to Carthage (58-20 on Sept. 13) and Jefferson (35-34 on Nov. 1). Kickoff on Earl Campbell Field is scheduled for 7 p.m.

Jefferson’s standout season concludes at 12-1.

Two of Hustead’s pick-offs were at the Tigers’ one-yard line as he fought off Bulldogs for the football.

Mike Jones and Michael Elliott also had interceptions for Malakoff.

Elliott’s pick was a 25-yard interception return for a touchdown that put the Tigers up 31-21 with 11:48 remaining. Jacob Padron made the PAT.

For the game, quarterback Jones was also spectacular on offense; he rushed for 169 yards and two touchdowns on 24 attempts. Through the air, Jones hit on 9 of 16 passing attempts for 149 yards with a TD and two interceptions.

Jerrion Hall added 116 yards on 20 totes for the Tigers. Parker Poteete had five receptions for 92 yards, including a 63-yard TD reception.

For Jefferson, Chris Love and Jakyrie Johnson had interceptions.

Johnson’s 52-yard interception return for a TD in the third quarter gave the Bulldogs a 21-17 lead with 11:07 showing. Johnson also had five receptions for 87 yards and a TD

Kamran Williams ran for 90 yards on 15 carries with QB Tihmyus Taylor hit on 9 of 21 passing attempts for 129 yards with two TDs and five interceptions.

After a scoreless first quarter, there were three scores within 23 seconds in the second period.

Jones scored on an 8-yard run with 8:22 showing in the second. Padron added the PAT.

Then at 8:08, Jefferson tied things up as Taylor hit Johnson for a 42-yard TD pass. Ethan Maxwell’s extra point made it 7-7.

Malakoff went back on top 14-7 as Jones connected with Poteete for a 63-yard touchdown pass. Padron made the PAT.

The Bulldogs knotted the game at 14-14 as Taylor connected with Love for a 14-yard TD reception. Maxwell made the point after.

Just before halftime, the Tigers were back on top 17-14 on a 25-yard field goal by Padron.

The back-and-forth game changed leads again at 11:07 of the third with Johnson picking off a pass at his own 48 and returning it untouched down the sideline for a 52-yard interception return for a TD. Maxwell’s PAT made it 21-17 in favor of the Bulldogs.

The Tigers went back ahead for good when Jones scored on a 1-yard TD. Padron’s PAT put Malakoff up 24-21 at 4:19 of the third.

Elliott’s 25-yard interception return for a TD came with 11:48 showing in the fourth. Padron made the PAT.