WACO, Texas — Cedar Ridge and Coppell played a classic game Saturday night at McLane Stadium, but a missed PAT by the Cowboys in overtime proved to be the difference maker. Cedar Ridge was able to escape with a 35-34 victory and advance into the state quarterfinals.
Coppell held the lead throughout the game, but during the fourth quarter, Cedar Ridge was able to advance ahead of the Cowboys 28-21 on a quarterback keeper by Ezekiel Coss from 10 yards out.
James Ellis/TexasHSFootball
The Cowboys opened the game up with a dominant four-play drive capped by a 21-yard Ryan Hirt touchdown run. Hirt was able to get his second touchdown of the first half after he punched it in from one yard out, giving Coppell a 14-7 lead.
Cedar Ridge established the running game down 7-0 and an 18-yard run by Deuce Vaughn set the Raiders up on the Coppell 14-yard line. Cross was able to find Trey Williams for a 13-yard strike that tied the game at 7-7.
The Raiders would go into halftime down 21-14, but the second half would prove to be essential for their victory. Cedar Ridge put together an 86-yard drive in the third quarter and Cross was able to connect with Baylor commit Jaylen Ellis on a 19-yard pass that knotted the game up at 21.
Coppell was unable to find the end zone during the third quarter, due largely in part to a sound defensive effort by the Raiders. The Cowboys finally reinstated their offensive rhythm in the fourth quarter down by seven. The Cowboys got the ball on the 2-yard line, after a penalty against Cedar Ridge and Brady McBride was able to run it in for a Coppell touchdown.
James Ellis/TexasHSFootball
The game was tied 28-28 at the end of regulation and Cedar Ridge had the first possession of overtime. The Raiders would dig into their bag of tricks, as Cash Rugley threw a 14-yard touchdown pass to quarterback Ezekiel Cross that gave Cedar Ridge the lead 35-28.
The Cowboys called on the running game on their overtime possession and after a pair of rushes by Jonathan McGill and Ryan Hirt, it was McBride that punched the ticket on a 2-yard touchdown run. Though Coppell was looking forward to a second overtime, a missed point after attempt ensured they never got the opportunity.
Cedar Ridge (12-1) will face Pflugerville Hendrickson (10-3) next week in the quarterfinals, with a date and location pending. The Raiders defeated the Hawks 43-27 earlier this season.
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