3A

Regional Semifinals 3A Team of the Week: Jacksboro

by
Adam Ogburn
November 28

3A Team of the Week: Jacksboro Tigers

Jacksboro evidently has no fear when playing with its back up against the wall.

With under a minute to go, trailing 41-33, Tiger quarterback Lando Belcher connected with Tyler Mitchell. Mitchell did the rest, breaking free down the sideline for a 62-yard touchdown. Belcher then converted the two-point conversion, finding his running back Luke Sams.

That sent the game into overtime. Again, Jacksboro got the ball trailing, this time down 48-41. And again, Belcher delivered. He scrambled around before finding Kasey Swan in the back of the end zone for the score. However, Jacksboro decided to test its luck one more time as it selected to attempt a two-point conversion.

Belcher had one last big play in him as he connected with Swan to clinch a 49-48 victory that will live long in the memory in the town of Jacksboro.

AN INSTANT CLASSIC!!

#9 Jacksboro vs #7 Holliday goes down to the last second as Jacksboro comes out on top!! 😱@uiltexas | #TXHSFB pic.twitter.com/ElxnifJtdZ

— BallySportsTXHS (@BallySportsTXHS) November 26, 2023

Belcher finished with an incredible 414 yards passing and four touchdowns. He also rushed for 107 yards and another score on the ground.

And while Mitchell and Swan had the touchdowns for Jacksboro down the stretch, don’t overlook fellow receiver Cannon Valenzuela. He caught nine passes for 178 yards and two touchdowns.

Jacksboro is going to need more of the same magic next week as it will take on fellow unbeaten Gunter in Denton on Friday. Gunter has made the state semifinals seven-straight times, while Jacksboro will be aiming for its first state semifinal appearance since 1971.