When Greenwood High needed a miracle on Friday night, Xavier Hoover delivered.
On 4th and long late in the fourth quarter against Lanier, senior quarterback Davin Anderson launched a prayer into the end zone, where Hoover pulled in the underthrown pass from his defender’s grasp for a game-tying, 35-yard touchdown catch.
“As it went in the air, I was like I gotta reach over and get it,” said Hoover, a junior receiver and running back. “I snatched it and pulled it right in like Randy Moss.”
Anderson converted the ensuing 2-point conversion run to give the Bulldogs a 24-22 victory, making head coach Clinton Gatewood the winningest head coach in school history.
“I give all thanks to God almighty, most importantly,” said Gatewood, who needed only 11 seasons to pass head coach Hollis Rutter’s record of 96 wins. “I give thanks to my great coaching staff I’ve had for the past 11 years. All my players who have come through this program, this is for them.”
“I was like, ‘I don’t want to let my coach down at all,’” Hoover said. “He does so much for us as a whole team. We’re young, but he hasn’t given up on us. I knew I had to get that for my coach.”
GHS (3-2) and Lanier (2-3) each found the end zone in the first quarter, but went quiet in the second quarter as they went into halftime tied at 8-8. Lanier took a 16-8 lead entering the final frame, but the Bulldogs evened the score again thanks to a 3-yard touchdown run by Anderson.
Lanier regained the lead on a play-action passing TD a few minutes later, but the ensuing 2-point try was no good after a penalty pushed the attempt back 10 yards. Trailing 22-16 with 5:27 remaining, GHS refused to go away.
Anderson tallied a pair of first-down runs before connecting with Hoover on the game-winning touchdown on fourth down. Junior safety Kizear Little had a sack on Lanier’s final possession to seal the 24-22 win.
“They finally stepped up to the level we know can be,” Gatewood said. “We know what we can do when we’re ahead, but what can we do when we’re behind? They showed all types of resiliency to the point where we fought back and showed the true dog spirit. We’ve got all hands full next week, but we’ll be up for the challenge.”
GHS visits Clarksdale for next week’s district opener.
- Contact Riley Overend at 662-581-7237 or roverend@gwcommonwealth.com. Follow @OverendOut on Twitter.
