The first win is always the hardest win to get. Just ask Sherman (TX) first year Head Coach Cory Cain how hard it was. The Bearcats pulled off a 36-35 victory over Mt. Pleasant (TX) on a Phoenix Grant to EJ Chapman Hail Mary touchdown as time time expired.
"I got goosebumps man its awesome! It's a credit to the kids. They worked their rear ends off, they believed, they never gave up. I told the coaches when we were hugging it up, I don't care how we get it as long as we get it. That was a lot of fun." Cain
Grant, was spectacular scoring five touchdowns on the night (3 rushing/2 passing). Grant's ability to extend plays with his legs led to explosive plays for the Bearcat offense. He threw for 256 yards two scores and he rush for 114 yards and three touchdowns.
Grant, threw his first touchdown pass to JD Parker and EJ Chapman on the Hail Mary. Chapman led the receiving core with 91 yards on 4 catches. Parker had 76 yards and some big catches for first downs. Aries Jones had 40 yards and Vontrelle Sanders had 3 catches.
The Bearcat defense dealt with a tough Tiger rushing and play action attack but, caused five turnovers and a key late 4th down stop that led to the game winning drive. Coach Cain talked about the defensive performance, "Anytime you can get turnovers it's good. Our kids found a way. It was not perfect, but you know what? Finding a way to force turnovers is fantastic."
Jacob Lester got the turnover party started with a tipped interception and Chaz Brown recovered a fumble. Defensive back Connor Clark made key plays to end multiple Tigers drives.
Mt. Pleasant used two quarterbacks (Keller Thompson and Layne Pinckard) and a stable of running backs to wear down the Bearcat defense. Pinckard, started the second half for the and gave the Tigers new life.
Pinckard, threw a touchdown pass to Miller McCumby to give the Tigers a 28-24 lead at the beginning of the 4th quarter. After a defensive stop, the Tiger offense march down the field with a strong running game and cap of the long drive with a 2-yard Pinckard touchdown run to go up 35-24 with 4:54 left in the game.
After both teams swop turnovers. Grant, scores his fourth touchdown of the game on a 9-yard touchdown run. After a defensive stop, the Bearcats drove the field and won the game as time expired.
Sherman will travel to Saginaw (TX) to take on the Roughriders. Mt. Pleasant will have a bye next week and host Arkansas High (AR) the following week.
Photo gallery link: https://www.brandidsports.com/post/sherman-vs-mt-pleasant