Malakoff wins state semifinals thriller over Brock

Published 9:30 pm Thursday, December 7, 2023

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FRISCO — Mike Jones scored on the Malakoff version of the brotherly shove with 19 seconds on the clock in the fourth quarter to propel the Tigers into their second state championship game.

Malakoff, thanks to a big defensive play with just over two minutes left in the game, scored a 38-31 win over Brock on Thursday in a Class 3A Division I state semifinal at the Ford Center at The Star.



The Tigers (15-0) advance to meet Franklin (14-1), a 52-14 winner over Edna Thursday, in the state title game next week. The contest is scheduled for 3 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 14 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington.

The Eagles end their season at 11-4.

With the game tied at 31-31, Brock moved the ball into Tiger territory at the 41. Facing a second-and-8, Eagles QB Brody Woods dropped back to pass. Under a heavy rush by Parker Poteete, Woods tried to throw the ball away. But with Poteete hanging on to Woods, the ball popped up in the air and big defensive tackle Daniel Norrell snatched the ball and started rambling down the field.

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The Eagles caught him at the 16, but he had the Tigers in position to win.

After two runs by Jerrion Hall, the Tigers put the ball into QB Jones’ hands, making the Eagles use their timeouts. Malakoff drained the clock and Jones bulled his way over into the end zone from the one as his teammates pushed him to paydirt.

Landen Boswell booted the PAT to put the Tigers ahead 38-31 with 19 seconds showing.

After the kickoff, the Eagles hit one pass to the Malakoff 37. With 5 seconds showing, Brock tried a deep pass that fell incomplete near the 20 and the Tigers celebrated.

It was the third time the Tigers and Eagles have met in the semifinals and Malakoff now has a 2-1 edge after falling 21-10 last in the state semifinals.

Brock took an early 10-0 lead and eventually a 17-14 advantage at halftime.

The Eagles took the opening kickoff and marched to the Tigers’ 15 before being knocked back to the 17 on a stop by Malakoff’s Rylan Smith on Brock RB Brett Tutter.

Caiden Riddle kicked a 34-yard field goal for a 3-0 lead at 7:31 of the first.

On the second play after Malakoff received the kickoff, Colt Matlock picked off a pass and returned it 41 yards for a TD. Riddle’s PAT put the Eagles up 10-0 with 6:51 showing.

After a three-and-out by the Tigers, the Malakoff defense got the scoring going for the Henderson County team.

Brock was in Tiger territory when Josh Garcia punched the ball out of Eagle quarterback Woods’ arms and Poteete snatched it out of the air at the 36. After gaining control, Poteete started running, broke three tackles and tight-roped the sideline before dashing into the end zone for a 64-yard fumble return for a TD. Boswell’s PAT brought Malakoff within 10-7 at 2:15 of the first quarter.

In the second quarter, each team had big plays.

Tutter went over the right side, untouched for a 61-yard TD. Riddle’s PAT moved the Eagles up 17-7 at 10:07.

About two minutes later, Jones had a keeper over the right side, broke open and out-ran the Eagles’ secondary for a 52-yard TD. Bowell’s PAT brought the Tigers within 17-14 with 8:08 before halftime.

In the third quarter, Boswell kicked a 29-yard field goal to tie the game at 17-17 with 4:38 of the third. Malakoff’s Jack Driskell appeared to block the punt and Michael Elliott got the ball and returned to the nine to set up the FG attempt.

The Tigers then took the lead.

On the kickoff, Brock returned the kick to the 35 where Malakoff’s James Studley stripped the ball from the returner and rambled 35 yards for the touchdown. Boswell made the PAT and Malakoff took its first lead, 24-17 at 4:25 of the third.

After Malakoff was offsides on kickoff, the Tigers had to re-kick and Brock brought the ball back to the Malakoff 31. The Eagles eventually scored when Tutter found the end zone from the 4. Riddle added the PAT and game was tied 24-24 with 2:08 left in the third.

Just a minute later, Jones hit Doc Renberg over the middle. The big tight tight juggled the ball, but secured it and ran 57 yards for the TD. Boswell’s PAT put the Tigers up 31-24 with 1:08 showing in the third.

But the Eagles were not about to take it easy, taking over at the 50. Brock scored in six plays, topped off by Woods’ 12-yard run over the left side. Riddle’s PAT tied the game at 31-31 with 10:07 of the fourth.

That set up the big finish.

NOTES: QB Jones had a quick kicked that penned the Eagles at the 3. … Jones was the leading rusher for the Tigers, gaining 67 yards on 15 carries. Hall added 38 yards on 12 attempts and two catches for 29 yards. … Jones hit on 4 of 12 passing attempts for 92 yards. … Dalton Lyles and Kayland Davis each tipped away passes for the Tigers, preventing long receptions by the Eagles. … Tutter led Brock in rushing with 83 yards on nine totes, whle Woods had 57 yards on 18 carries. Woods hit on 8 of 19 passing attempts for 124 yards. Matlock had four catches for 61 yards.