Grandview outlasts Pottsboro in high-scoring Texas high school playoff game

Zebras rally from early 2-TD deficit to defeat Cardinals, 56-42, in 3A Division I area round

MESQUITE, TEXAS - In a back-and-forth display of offense, Grandview had the last say.

Once trailing by two scores in the opening quarter of Thursday night's Class 3A Division I area round playoff, the Zebras took their first lead with less than 10 minutes left. They went on to outlast Pottsboro, 56-42, at Mesquite Memorial Stadium.

After a first half that ended in a 35-all deadlock, both teams added touchdowns in the third quarter, making it a 42-all score entering the fourth and final quarter.

Grandview finally broke the tie for good with 9:07 left as senior tailback Casey Cannon went in from 14 yards out. Junior kicker Angel Castillo added the PAT for a 49-42 Zebras' lead.

Then, Grandview's Easton Ebner picked off a pass on the next series. The Zebras weren't able to convert, but did execute a successful quick-kick which landed at the Pottsboro 1-yard line.

Pottsboro was unable to move the ball, and decided to go for it on fourth-and-10 at its own 1. But a pass fell incomplete, and Grandview tacked on a TD on the very next play, another run from Cannon with 2:40 left.

Grandview (11-1) now faces the winner of Malakoff and Mt. Vernon in the regional round of the Class 3A Division I playoffs. Malakoff-Mt. Vernon kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. on Friday.

The first half saw four touchdowns in the opening quarter and six more TDs the next quarter. Pottsboro (9-3) built a 21-7 lead entering the second before the Zebras got to within a point, 28-27, after Anthony Berrones picked up a fumble off a bad snap and returned it for a TD, though the PAT was blocked.

Then, the Cardinals built their lead up to eight, 35-27, on tailback Major McBride's third TD run of the half, covering 46 yards.

But Grandview receiver Carter Collins responded with a hat trick of his own, hauling in a 35-yard TD pass on fourth-and-long for his third score on the night. The Zebras then got the game-tying two-point conversion on a catch from Berrones with less than two minutes left until halftime.

Pottsboro went back in front, 42-35, as McBride ran it up the middle on a third-down play from 24 yards out, his fourth TD of the game. But back came Grandview once more, as quarterback Ryder Hayes found receiver Jaleal Allen in the end zone on a 10-yard reception, as the Zebras evened it at 42-all late in the third.

Photo of Grandview RB Casey Cannon by Ronny Collins, Cleburne Times-Review 

-- Buck Ringgold | buck@scorebooklive.com | @sblivetx