This is one Pillow Academy would love to have another shot at.
The Mustangs turned the ball over three times, including a fumble returned for a touchdown, and were penalized seven times for 60 yards, most of that in crucial situations, in a 27-24 loss to Indianola Academy Friday night at PA’s Bill Davis Field.
“Taking nothing away from Indianola, because they have a great team, but we played two teams tonight — Indianola and the worst of ourselves,” said Pillow coach Tripp McCarty, whose team slips to 1-1. “The effort was there, but we just couldn’t get out of our own way.”
IA went up 27-10 at the 3:17 mark of the third quarter with the defensive touchdown.
Pillow made it a 10-point game early in the fourth on a 22-yard touchdown scamper by John Madison Brooks.
Pillow appeared to take the lead with 4:04 to play, but Brooks’ 6-yard TD run was called back for a block in the back on a fourth-and-goal from the 6-yard line. Cole Whitfield missed a 37-yard field goal attempt on the next play.
After a key defensive stand, Brooks gave PA new life with a 69-yard punt return for a touchdown, pulling the Mustangs within three with 2:16 to go.
With only one timeout left, PA went with the onside kick. It was recovered by Ben Van Cleve at his own 47. The Colonels then ran four plays to run out the clock to improve to 2-0.
“Give Pillow credit. They kept fighting and got back in it with a chance to win it,” IA coach Tommy Nester said. “Our guys found a way to win it, and that’s what you like to see in a close game between two good teams.”
PA outgained Indianola 266-226 in total yardage — churning out 240 yards on the ground on 40 carries.
Senior Will Jennings led the Mustangs’ ground attack with 112 yards on 16 carries, while Brooks, a junior, finished with 106 yards and two TDs on 16 attempts.
Brooks scored all three of his team’s touchdowns and finished with 195 all-purpose yards.
Defensively, PA was led by senior nose guard Caleb Giachelli, who had nine tackles, including seven solo stops.
“This one will hurt for 24 hours, and then we will flush it and get ready for Lee,” said McCarty, whose team hosts the Colts this week for homecoming.
Lee is 2-0 after beating Manchester Friday night.
