With 2:43 left to play in their District 4-2A game Friday night, the Lakeside Warriors led the Winnfield Tigers 20-6.
With 31 seconds left, the Warriors led 20-14 and the Tigers had a third-and-goal at the 14. With the game on the line, senior Jquon Shehee stepped up and sealed the victory with an interception.
Lakeside improved to 4-3 overall and 1-1 in district. The Warriors have surpassed their victory total of last season. Winnfield dropped to 4-3 and 1-1.
The Warriors took the 20-6 lead after tackling the Winnfield punter at the Tigers 31 as he was looking to run on fourth-and-11 at the 41.
Freshman Malik Thorn carried three times to the 8 then scored off the left side.
But Winnfield’s Gabe Wren returned the ensuing kickoff for a touchdown.
The Warriors took over at their 42 but were forced to punt on fourth-and-7 from the 45. The punt was blocked and the Tigers took over at the 30 with 1:27 left to play. Two plays later they were at the 10. On second down a sweep gained 1 yard. Winnfield was then penalized for false start, setting up Sheehee’s interception.
Turnovers played a big part in the game. The Warriors lost fumbles on long runs deep into Winnfield territory in each half.
The Tigers’ lone offensive touchdown came after the Warriors recovered a fumble at the Lakeside 6 and fumbled it back on the next play.
Quarterback Nickalas Mockosher scored from the 1 with 3:07 left in the second quarter and Winnfield led 6-0 at the half.
The Tigers intercepted two passes deep into Winnfield territory in the first half.
Lakeside opened the second half with a 70-yard touchdown drive capped by James Roberson’s 9-yard run. The PAT gave the Warriors a 7-6 lead with 8:07 left in the third quarter,
Winnfield returned the kickoff for a touchdown but it was erased by a penalty. The Tigers took over at their 45. A 43-yard pass moved the ball to the 12.
Winnfield fumbled a handoff. Gage Williams picked it up and ran 76 yards to the Tigers 12. Thorn scored from 2 yards out and the Warriors led 13-6 with 5:25 left in the third quarter.
The team’s exchanged punts then Lakeside forced another one early in the fourth. But Winnfield recovered a fumble at the 16 after a long run.
The Tigers converted a fourth-and-3 at their 38. A penalty moved the ball back. Winnfield got into punt formation on fourth down. Several Tigers shifted to the right. The punter took snap and headed in that direction.
He had done that on a previous fourth down but was able to get the kick off. This time a swarm of Warriors tackled him for a big loss, setting up the dramatic finish.
Thorn and Roberson both had good nights running the ball. Thorn had around 200 yards rushing and Roberson 60, per Lakeside coaches.
Lakeside visits Oberlin in a non-district game Friday. The Fightin’ Tigers (0-7) lost to Acadiana Christian 21-14 Thursday night.