Tigers host Chipley in Regional Semi-Final at 7:30 Tigers win 29-28 in overtime

If you weren’t at Bowles Field Friday night for the Blountstown Tiger’s final regular season game of the year, you might have missed one of the most exciting finishes ever. Lafayette County (Mayo) had jumped out to a 14-0 lead in the first quarter, but the Tigers had tied the game by halftime. Lafayette went ahead 21-14 in the fourth quarter, but the Tigers put together a last minute drive and scored to tie the game with 25 seconds left on the clock. In overtime, Mayo scored and kicked their extra point to go ahead 28-21.The Tigers scored and elected to go for two points. A timeout by Mayo nullified the Tigers’ first two point play. On their second effort, Hunter Jordan dove into the endzone and the Tigers made their homecoming extra special with a 29-28 overtime victory.The win left the Class 1A District 4 Champion Tigers at 6-4 after a 1-3 start with Chipley coming to Bowles Field Friday night for the regional semi-finals. Chipley defeated Blountstown earlier in the season in Chipley, 16-7. Chipley lost to Bonifay to finish second in their district. The Blountstown win and they will face a rematch with either Liberty County or Holmes County who play Friday night in Bonifay.The Tigers didn’t get off to the start they had hoped for with quarterback Hunter Jordan throwing an interception on the Tigers’ first possession. Mayo scored in 5 plays and were ahead 7-0 right out of the gate.Following a Blountstown punt, Mayo put together a time consuming 83 yard, 12 play drive for a touchdown. The PAT gave them a 14-0 lead and the Tiger faithful were scratching their heads. Starting from their own 20, the Tigers came alive. Jordan ramble for 20 yards. After a 15 yard penalty against Mayo, Jawon Mosley raced for 32 to the Mayo 13. Marquel Thomas picked up 4 and Jordan picked up a first down at the 2 after dragging defenders for 7. Jordan dove in for the touchdown and Corin Peterson’s extra point cut Mayo’s lead to 14-7.The Tiger defense stiffened and forced Mayo to punt. After reaching midfield Mosley lost a fumble to end the drive. Mayo drove to the Tiger 10, but lost a fumble recovered by Javakiel Brigham for the Tigers.Thomas had a big run of 16 yards, Mosley broke outside for 12 and again for 8. Jordan gained 8 and facing third down and 10, Jordan passed to a wide open freshman Tripp Taylor who made the catch and made it into the endzone for a 31 yard touchdown. Peterson’s PAT tied the score at 14-0. Mayo was held to 1 yard on 3 plays on their next possession and were forced to punt as the half ended.After the Tiger defense forced Mayo to punt on their first possession of the second half, the Tigers took over on their own 15. Jordan passed to an open Anthony Jones who followed blockers down field. Unfortunately, Jones lost control of the ball after a 61 yard gain and Mayo recovered.Mayo took over on the Tiger 28 and put together a 17 play, 72 yard drive to regain the lead at 21-14.After an exchange of punts, the Tigers took over at the Mayo 28 yard line. This drive ended with Mayo intercepting a Jordan pass in the endzone.The Tiger defense had to get the ball back with time clicking off the clock in the fourth quarter. Thomas Tierney, Brigham, Anthony Williams and Patrick Pitts did just that forcing a Mayo punt.Faced with fourth and 9 from their own 48, Jordan pitched to Thomas who stopped and passed down field back to Jordan who made a leaping catch for 31 yards and a first down at the Mayo 21. Jordan connected with Ryan Hathcox for 11 yards and on third and 11 Jordan passed to Thomas for the touchdown. Peterson kicked the game tieing extra point with 25 seconds left of the clock. After time expired, Mayo won the overtime toss and wasted little time in scoring. They kicked the extra point and led 28-21.Blountstown also scored quickly with Jordan plunging in from the three. Coach Jordan and his coaches met and his players agreed to go for two points to win the game. As Jordan took the snap and went off tackle into the endzone, whistles were blowing. Mayo’s coach had called timeout. The Tigers would have to go for two points again. Jordan took the snap and basically ran the same off tackle play. He stretched across the goal line, the officials signaled score, and the homecoming crowd raced onto the field. It was a great victory for the Tigers and their fans.Jordan completed 6 of 14 passes for 127 yards, 2 touchdowns and 2 interceptions. He also rushed for 93 yards on 20 carries. Mosley added 55 yards on 8 attempts.Defensively, Brigham, Jordan and Anthony Williams each had 12 tackles. Pitts added 10 tackles followed by Mosley and Tierney with 8 each. Peterson had 7 followed by Jones with 6.Kickoff Friday night at Bowles Field will be at 7:30 C.T.. All future playoff games will kickoff at 7:30.