Photos by: Pat Carrigan
Magnolia West pushed No. 1-ranked Denton Ryan before succumbing 28-20 Saturday afternoon during a hard-fought Class 5A Division I area playoff matchup at Waco ISD Stadium.
The Raiders (11-1) held a 21-7 lead at halftime and had to fend off a late charge from the Mustangs (10-2) to advance to the regional round against Longview. 
Ryan sprinted to a 21-0 lead in the first half thanks to electrifying plays from Kalib Hicks, Michael Davis and Garyreon Robinson. Hicks broke the ice with a 56-yard touchdown sprint in the first quarter, and Davis doubled that advantage when he hauled in a 49-yard score from quarterback Khalon Davis.
Robinson tacked on a 57-yard TD run midway through the second quarter to put the Raiders in front 21-0.
The Comeback Attempt
Magnolia West finally stopped the barrage when Hunter Bilbo tallied a 7-yard scoring run with just over a minute to go before halftime. The Mustangs pulled closer in the third at 21-13 when QB Brock Dalton hit Sam Mattingly for an 8-yard TD toss.
The Raiders again generated some breathing room after a quick drive that was capped by Anthony Hill Jr.’s 7-yard scoring burst. The run gave Ryan a 28-13 edge with 7:39 left on the clock, but the Mustangs weren’t done yet.
Mangolia West drove for another score that came with 1:43 left to play, but the ensuing onside kick was covered up by Ryan, which then drained the final seconds off the clock following a first-down run by Hicks.
Hicks ran for 105 yards and a TD on the night, while Robinson added 61 yards and a score on two carries. Khalon Davis went 16 of 20 passing for 165 yards and a TD, while Michael Davis made five receptions for 105 yards and a score.
Hill Jr. added 15 tackles to pace the defense, and Marques Williams posted 11 tackles during the victory. Michael Gee added nine tackles, including a sack.
CLICK HERE to see all final scores.
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