Thursday, April 18, 2024
Gatesville stirring comeback falls short versus Connally
Gatesville High School junior Trevor Smith said Friday’s football battle against Waco Connally was like being in a fight that wasn’t going to end.
It ended wrong for the scrappy Hornets when Smith hauled in an apparent two-point conversion that was called short of the end zone with 1:06 left in the game.
Waco Connally prevailed 47-45 in the key District 9-4A, Div. II contest between two teams battling for playoff seeding.
“That was tough,’’ said the 5-10, 150-pound receiver. “I was in, the zebras got it wrong. It was just a little out route.’’
A gang-tackling Connally squad held off Gatesville with the stop.
The Hornets trailed 40-15 early in the fourth quarter, but battled back with some inspired play.
“Phenomenal effort and fight by our kids,’’ Gatesville coach Luke Howard said. “They could have laid it down when it was 40-15. They kept playing and made plays down the stretch to give us a chance.’’
The Hornets chance at the end came on a short field after a bad snap gave the Hornets the ball at the Connally 12-yard line with 2:24 left.
The Hornets took six plays to cover the distance. Senior quarterback Wesley Brown, who had a big night with 274 yards of offense, ran for the score from four yards out.
Next came the rollout pass attempt for the two-point try.
“The (extra point) play at the end was tough to swallow,’’ Howard said. “We know Trevor caught it in the end zone, but the call didn't go our way. We don't have time to pout about it. We have to get ready to go on the road and punch our ticket against a good Jarrell team.’’
Despite the 30-point fourth quarter, the Hornets (3-6, 1-3) can still clinch a playoff berth the Friday at Jarrell — either with a win, or a loss by 10 or fewer points gets the Hornets into the postseason as the fourth seed from the district.
In the rally, the Hornets had some huge swings that included two onside kick recoveries, by Lawson Mooney and Thiele Alvarado.
Smith had a career game with six catches for 28 yards and one score.
“It was nice to get the touches,’’ said Smith, who has made a late-season switch to the split end position from the slot. “It makes you feel good when the ball is coming your way.’’
The Hornets’ comeback started with a 10-play, 55-yard drive that Brown engineered. Smith caught a slant pass for 12 yards to cut the lead to 40-21.
A pair of onside kick recoveries fueled the Hornets to more scoring.
Connally outgained the Hornets by 498 yards to 318 overall. The turnover count was even, with one Cadet fumble and one Hornet interception.
Scoring summary
Connally 10:53 — Kiefer Sibley 37 run. Erick Lara kick.
Gatesville 6:07 — Wesley Brown 2 run (brown run)
Connally 2:06 — Jelani McDonald 4 run (Lara kick)
Second quarter
Gatesville 9:15 — Wesley Brown 11 run (Luis Macias kick)
Connally 4:19 — Jamarie Wiggins pass complete to Kobe Black for 25 yards. (Lara kick)
Connally 1:25 — Tre Wisner 48 run (Lara kick)
Third quarter
Connally 7:43 -- Jelani Mcdonald pass complete to Jy'lon Nobles for 84 yards. (Lara kick blocked)
Connally 2:33 — Jelani Mcdonald pass complete to Jack Johnston for 44 yards (Lara kick)
Fourth quarter
Gatesville 4 11:28 — Wesley Brown pass complete to Trevor Smith for 12 yards (kick failed)
Gatesville 8:34 — Luis Macias 26 field goal
Gatesville 7:15 — Wesley Brown 29 run (Logan Edwards pass from Brown)
Connally 7:00 — Tre Wisner 80 run (Lara kick)
Gatesville 3:40 — Wesley Brown 3 run (Macias kick)
Gatesville 1:06 — Wesley Brown 4 run (pass failed)
