It was a game billed as a battle between two evenly matched North AAA powers, and it lived up to the hype — and then some.
With just two timeouts left and 1:55 to play in a two-point contest, Pillow Academy drove from its own 7-yard line to the Jackson Academy 31 in 1 minute, 50 seconds — setting up a 48-yard field-goal attempt for the Mustangs.
After his team’s final timeout, senior Murry Adams, who plays both ways and hardly comes off the field, stepped up and drilled one of the most clutch field goals in PA football history to hand the Mustangs a heart-pounding 10-9 victory Friday night at Bill Davis Field.
When asked what he was thinking when Adams lined up for the kick, first-year Pillow head coach Michael Fair said, “I was thinking we had the game won.”
Adams hadn’t practiced in two weeks after straining a hamstring in the first half of the Mustangs’ win at Oak Hill. But the gutsy senior kept the Mustangs undefeated and on track for a North AAA Division title with one whack of his right leg — setting off an incredible celebration by fans, students and parents who rushed the field to soak up the comeback victory.
“I had just been resting my hamstring, and it paid off. I was 100 percent tonight,” explained Adams, who says he’s comfortable kicking from 55 yards and in. “God blessed me. He helped calm my nerves. I knew with Him by my side I could do it.
“Everybody out there played a role in it. The snap was perfect, the hold was perfect and the line blocked perfect.”
The Mustangs, ranked No. 4 in the statewide academy AAA poll, improve to 5-0 overall, 3-0 in the North AAA Division standings — 11/2 games ahead of JA with league games left against Magnolia Heights, Washington and Heritage.
“It’s a big, big win because we don’t have to rely on anyone else. We control our own destiny as far as the playoffs are concerned,” Fair said.
On the final drive, the Mustangs overcame a first-and-25 on a questionable pass interference call, however, Fair said he thought it was a right call.
Adams for a 30-yard pass — setting up a first and 10 at the JA 31 with 10 seconds left. On second down, Andrews’ pass was incomplete, leaving just five seconds on the clock.
Fair said he was so confident in Adams’ kicking ability that he almost called for the field goal with 10 seconds left but decided instead to try and pick up a few more yards.
The attempt to shorten the kick failed, and turned out to be unnecessary anyway as Adams’ kick split the uprights with about five yards to spare.
“Murry made a great catch and run and then followed that up with a great kick. What can you say? The kid is a gamer,” Fair said.
From his tailback position, Adams had 15 carries for a team-high 69 yards and two catches for 36 yards. From his linebacker post, Adams had 12 tackles, including seven solos, with a quarterback sack.
“Even though Murry had a great game, it takes more than one guy to win a game like this. The kids never quit battling and believing in each other. They sure made me look good tonight,” said the PA head coach.
JA (3-3, 2-2 in the North) led 6-0 at the half after a defensive slugfest in the first two quarters.
The Raiders got the first break of the game when they recovered a fumble at the PA 22 on the home team’s second possession of the game. But the swarming Mustang defense held JA scoreless after driving to the Pillow 3, where the Raiders faced a third and 3.
Adams sacked JA quarterback Franklin Keyes for a three-yard loss and then a fourth-and-5 pass fell incomplete.
The Mustangs then turned the ball over on its next possession with a fumble that was recovered at the PA 37.
The Raiders got to the Mustangs’ 20 before senior defensive end Tyler Hill sacked Keyes for an 11-yard loss. JA’s strong-legged kicker Andrew Ritter booted a 52-yard field goal with 2:48 left in the first period.
With offenses struggling in the first half, JA extended its lead to 6-0 with 4:40 left in the second quarter on Ritter’s 42-yard field goal.
“We played our worst half of football this season. We never had field position which limits what you can do in such a close game,” Fair said.
You can play it close to the vest when you have such a strong defense — which came in allowing a mere 132 yards a contest and just seven points on the season.
Led by senior middle linebacker Wilson Moses and senior safety James Shackelford, the Mustang defense limited the Raiders to just 110 yards rushing on 43 carries. JA finished with 188 total yards.
“Our defense is just playing so hard. We’ve got 13 or 14 guys helping out there, and it’s just a total team effort,” Fair said. “I really thought we had a chance to shut them out. But their kicker is a real weapon. They can score from way out with him.”
JA extended its lead to 9-0 on the opening drive of the second half on a 32-yard field goal by Ritter.
Then the Mustang offense responded with a 10-play, 80-yard drive that changed the momentum and brought the overflow crowd to its feet for the final quarter.
Moses capped the drive with a 1-yard TD plunge with 1:46 left in the third quarter.
Andrews and Moses hooked up for a 49-yard pass play early in the drive on a third-and-5 play. The Mustangs also converted a third-and-2 on an 11-yard pass from Andrews to junior right end Reed Cook.
Andrews stayed cool and calm under pressure as the Mustangs battled from behind. He completed 9-of-13 passes for a career-high 155 yards.
On Pillow’s possession previous to the game winner, the Mustangs faced a fourth-and-5 at their own 47 with 61/2 minutes left. The Mustangs punted, and the defense made one last stand after giving up three quick first downs — setting the stage for a thrilling comeback.
“When we decided to punt it, I told (defensive coordinator) Jeff Jones I was going to let the defense win the game for us,” Fair said. “When the defense is playing like it was, a punt is not a bad thing.”
Shackelford led the stifling PA defense with 16 tackles, including eight solo stops. Moses recorded a team-high nine solos to go with six assists.
Treyce Miller had 10 tackles with a sack. Hill had six solos, while Tyler Fondren and Luke Kimmel added five solos each.
Offensively, Shackelford had four catches for 36 yards.
Things get even tougher this week for the Mustangs, who play at No. 2 Magnolia Heights, which beat Washington 28-7 Friday night.
