LONGVIEW - Once again the Lindale Eagles were involved in another close game on Saturday at Pine Tree Pirate Stadium.
The Eagles had chances twice in the fourth quarter to take the lead, but Marshall held on for a 21-17 win in a Class 5A Division II bi-district playoff game.
The Mavericks (10-1) advance to the area round to meet Dallas South Oak Cliff (8-3) next week.
SOC defeated Mansfield Timberview 17-14 on Friday in DeSoto.
The Eagles end their season at 5-6.
Lindale dominated the second half but could not get the go-ahead score.
The Eagles drove to the Marshall 13 with about 4 minutes left, but the Mavericks halted Lindale on fourth-and-1.
Lindale's defense stopped the Mavericks on their next possession. Zach Jones made a key tackle for a 3-yard loss on third-and-9.
The Eagles took over at their own 42 with 2:05 to go and no timeouts. However, four-straight incompletions gave the ball back to the Mavs.
Marshall then ran out the clock.
Ryan Taylor led the Eagles with 16 rushes for 77 yards. Quarterback Montana Meador hit on 14 of 29 pass attempts for 157 yards and a TD.
Marshall signal-caller Cameron Haller rushed for 141 yards on 30 carries. He connected on 8 of 16 pass attempts for 127 yards and three touchdowns. Wide receiver Trel Patton had four receptions for 75 yards and a TD.
Lindale took a 3-0 lead in the first quarter with 8:34 on the clock on Jordan Lawless' 33-yard field goal.
Marshall bounced back when Haller hit Patton for a 60-yard TD pass. Alan Martinez booted the PAT and the Mavericks led 7-3 with 6:51 showing.
Haller threw two touchdowns in the second quarter to take a 21-3 lead.
Haller found Chavis Mills (19 yards) and Jaquavian Dabbs (8 yards) for TDs. Martinez kicked both PATs.
Lindale struck back with 1:26 to go in the half as Kendrick Price had a 20-yard TD run. Lawless' PAT brought the Eagles within 21-10.
In the third quarter, Lindale's Carson Mizell intercepted a pass and returned it 33 yards to the Marshall 2.
After a QB sack moved the ball back to the 11, Meador hit Tayton Williams for an 11-yard TD pass. Lawless kicked the extra point to bring Lindale within 21-17 with 10:24 to go in the third quarter.
However, that was as close as the Eagles could get.
Lindale was involved in a number of close games this season - winning 28-27 over Van and 35-28 over Jacksonville. Lindale's other wins were over Chapel Hill (27-0), Corsicana (19-7) and Whitehouse (41-25).
The close losses were to Carthage (24-20), John Tyler (30-20), Lufkin (28-27), Nacogdoches (25-24) and Ennis (14-10).
Marshall was the No. 1 representative from District 15-5A, while Lindale was the No. 4 seed from District 16-5A.
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Marshall 21, Lindale 17
Marshall 7 14 0 0 - 21
Lindale 3 7 7 0 - 17