The Friendswood Mustangs snuck away from the Summer Creek Bulldogs 27-26 in a game decided by a high snap. With seven seconds left, the Bulldogs were at the seven-yard line looking to advance to the third round for the first time ever. But Friendswood’s head coach Robert Koopman wouldn’t let it come easy calling a time out before the attempt.
“A lot of people think [icing] is for the kicker, but I was a long snapper and let me tell you, the snapper’s nerves are heavy.” Sure enough, the snap was too high, holder Deon Cormier couldn’t handle it, and the Bulldogs dreams were dashed.
Friendswood had the lead early, and didn’t get it back until 3:25 left in the game. They took the field first led by freshman quarterback Luke Grden, Summer Creek’s defense came out swarming, forcing a three and out early. The John Holcombe-led Bulldogs took over at their own 43 drove down all the way to the Mustang 28, and failed the fourth-and-one conversion. Grden seemed to get over his nerves, making throws of 12 and five yards before finding Austin Alvarez over his back shoulder for a 33-yard touchdown to take a 7-0 lead.
Photo: Vance Valentine/TexasHSFootball.com
Three penalties by the Bulldogs seemed to kill their ensuing possession, until Holcombe found his top receiver Deon Cormier for 41 yards to put them inside the Mustang 20. The drive was halted by a Friendswood interception in the end zone, three plays later.
On the very next play, Luke Grden threw his own interception, this one returned to the four-yard line, Summer Creek made easy work of it, scoring on a three-yard pass to Cormier, but a missed PAT kept Friendswood ahead 7-6. The combination of Holcombe and running back Trey Johnson grinded at the Friendswood defense, but were forced to settle for a 23-yard field goal to get their first lead of the game 9-7.
Grden threw his second pick of the night, slightly overthrowing his receiver landing in the hands of Joseph Tucker who returned it 40 yards to the Friendswood 22. Holcombe found Cormier again for an eight-yard touchdown to increase the lead 16-7. With 22 seconds left before the half, Grden found UNLV tight end commit Ben Redding for a 68-yard touchdown to reduce the deficit 16-14 at the half.
Summer Creek opened the third quarter with the ball and took their time to score, using up the first five minutes before punching it in on a one-yard rush by John Holcombe. Friendswood couldn’t score on their next drive and were forced to punt. A 45-yard punt return set up Summer Creek with great field position.
They failed to score, even going for it on fourth down, but no avail. Friendswood got the ball, but Luke Grden’s third interception of the afternoon gave the Bulldogs another possession inside the 50. The score remained at the end of the third quarter, 23-14, with Summer Creek facing a fourth down on the Mustang 31.
The Bulldogs failed their fourth down conversion once again and gave the ball back to the Mustangs. In a wild play, Grden completed a 23-yard pass to Koleman Bell, who fumbled it, but it was recovered by teammate Nick Swaney who advanced the ball 42 yards for a touchdown. The score brought Friendswood within two points.
Photo: Vance Valentine/TexasHSFootball.com
Summer Creek drove down the field on the ensuing possession, but a flag at the one-yard line forced them to settle for a field goal to increase the lead to five points. Luke Grden and the Mustangs came on with a little over four minutes remaining. With 3:25 left, Grden found Redding for a 49-yard touchdown, Redding’s second of the day.
For the first time since the beginning of the second quarter, Friendswood had the lead. Summer Creek took the field needing a field goal to win, they ran the clock down all the way to seven seconds, but a missed field goal later, Friendswood kneed it out to advance.
The Mustangs will face the winner of Cy-Fair and Strake Jesuit next Friday at TDECU Stadium.
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