By Lionel Green/For Daily Sentinel
A clutch fourth-down run by Nick Baker, a game-winning touchdown plunge by Angel Montesdeoca and a game-saving interception by Adam Ramirez highlighted the final 90 seconds of a classic defensive battle between the host Woodville Panthers and the visiting Coosa Christian Conquerors on Friday (Oct. 21).
In a contest with major playoff implications, Woodville (4-5, 3-3) edged Coosa, 12-6, to clinch the No. 3 seed in Class 1A, Region 6 for the second consecutive year. The Conquerors (3-7, 3-3) qualified as the No. 4 seed.
The game was tied 6-6 when the Panthers started their game-winning drive from the Coosa 30 with 3:57 left in the game.
Quarterback Justin Ball rushed three times for 15 yards and Montesdeoca carried twice for 10 yards to move the ball to the Coosa 5.
Facing a fourth-and-4, Ball pitched to Nick Baker on an option, who lunged forward for the first down at the Coosa 1. That play set up Montesdeoca’s 1-yard go-ahead touchdown run with 1:16 remaining in the game.
Coosa quarterback Jace Mills quickly completed passes of 15 yards and 24 yards to move the ball down to the Woodville 27. However, Ramirez intercepted Mills’ third pass at the 20 with 41 seconds left. Ball kneeled down twice to kill the clock.
Coosa scored on its opening drive, going 50 yards in nine plays. Mills connected with Evan Delp on a 13-yard touchdown pass to give the Conquerors the early 6-0 lead at the 5:35 mark of the first quarter.
Woodville responded on its next drive, going 63 yards in 11 plays. Jose Montesdeoca capped the drive with a 3-yard touchdown run to knot the game up at 6-6, where it stayed until late in the fourth quarter.
Coosa ended with 240 total yards of offense, including 106 yards rushing. Mills was 8-of-23 passing for 134 yards. Dartavious Britton rushed 10 times for 71 yards, while Mills added 35 yards on 10 carries.
Angel Montesdeoca rushed 16 times for 95 yards. Jose Montesdeoca had 11 carries for 55 yards. Ball completed 7 of 15 passes for 68 yards.