Pisgah’s football season comes to a close with playoff loss

Nov. 18—Pisgah couldn’t execute offensively when it mattered most Friday night.

Smoky Mountain came up with two key third-quarter stops and the Mustangs potent rushing attack rolled up 278 yards as they held off the Bears for a 27-14 victory in a first-round playoff game at Pisgah Memorial Stadium.

Smoky Mountain scored on three of their four first-half possessions as the Mustangs took a 21-7 lead at the break. Pisgah’s only first half score came on a thrilling 73-yard interception return by junior Matthew Mehaffey for a touchdown.

The Bears’ defense then stood tall for a pair of three-and-outs on Smoky Mountain’s first two possessions of the third quarter. But Pisgah’s offense couldn’t take advantage as the Mustangs stopped the Bears on fourth down with a sack near midfield before ending a second Pisgah drive with an interception with just over two minutes left in the third quarter.

The Mustangs took advantage of sophomore J.J. Jefferson’s interception by responding with a grinding 74-yard, 16-play scoring drive that ended when quarterback Jarek Jones blasted in from the three-yard line for a 27-7 lead with 4:11 left in the game. The PAT kick was blocked.

“We really needed to punch one in there in the third quarter to make it a one-score game,” Pisgah head coach Ricky Brindley said. “Unfortunately, we were not able to do that. You have to give credit to them. They came up with some stops. I’m just proud of our kids and the fight that they had.”

Pisgah scored its only offensive touchdown with 25 seconds left in the game when Carter Browning scored from the one, capping a 10-play, 64-yard drive that made it a 27-14 game.

Smoky Mountain head coach J.T. Postell said the Mustangs’ defense stepped up when it mattered most. Smoky Mountain (8-3) has won six straight game since suffering a 31-21 loss to Pisgah (8-3).

“Defense…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/pisgahs-football-season-comes-close-011700927.html

Author : The Mountaineer, Waynesville, N.C.

Publish date : 2024-11-19 01:17:00

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