By Adam Crocker/Sports Correspondent
Glencoe started region play on Friday (Sept. 4) with a 28-27 overtime win over Class 3A, Region 6 opponent Walter Wellborn.
With the game tied at 21-21, the visiting Yellow Jackets (2-0, 1-0) started off the extra period with ball and scored almost immediately on Chase Williams’ 8-yard touchdown pass to Pace Ozmint. Andrew Lang’s PAT put Glencoe on top by seven points.
No. 7 Wellborn took over on the 10-yard line, with a three-yard carry from Jordan Montgomery putting the Panthers on the 7. A facemask on Glencoe advanced the home team to the 3. Montgomery added a yard to set-up D.J. Rhoden’s two-yard scoring dash.
But the hosts faked the PAT and threw a pass, which was intercepted by Glencoe’s Jordan Morris to end the game.
“I saw a lot boys become men tonight,” said Glencoe head coach Lee Ozmint. “When things went wrong, they kept doing the right things and found a way to win.”
“After the delay they had to start throwing the ball and that’s what we wanted them to do,” said Ozmint when asked about a nearly two-hour delay due to a blown light fuse.
“And I’m proud of our kids, they love the community they’re from and that they represent.”
The Yellow Jackets got on the scoreboard when Dalton Roberts returned an interception 56 yards for a touchdown at 4:40 of the first quarter. Lang provided the PAT.
The Panthers took over the football and held on to it for the remainder of the quarter. The home team gained 75 yards and scored on a 13-yard touchdown run from Rhoden. Montgomery’s kick was good, making it 7-7 with 11:30 remaining in the half.
Ozmint returned the ensuing kickoff 42 yards, giving the Yellow Jackets great field position. A pass interference call on Wellborn placed the Jackets on the Panther 39.
Lang ran for 10 yards, followed by a five-yard run for Alfred.
Austin Bush capped the series with a 13-yard touchdown dash, and Lang’s PAT made it 14-7 with 9:10 remaining in the first half.
Wellborn tied the game with a 9-yard touchdown pass from McQueen to Montgomery with 2:50 remaining in the half, but Glencoe regained the lead at 21-14 on the next drive when Roberts caught a 13-yard touchdown pass with 30 seconds remaining in the half.
The second half began in rough fashion for the visitors, as the Panthers recovered a fumble after only two plays from scrimmage. Montgomery eventually scored on a 5-yard run, and his PAT made it 21-21 with 9:15 remaining in the third quarter.
Wilson paced the Glencoe rushing game with 87 yards on 12 carries. He completed 5-of-11 passes for 52 yards.
Austin Bush gained 76 yards on 19 attempts.
Pace Ozmint led the Yellow Jackets in tackles with 22, followed by Bradley Scott with 15, Austin Bush with 12, Zack Cowley with 11 and Noah Hauk with 10.
Rhoden finished with 131 yards on 22 carries, while Montgomery managed 81 yards on 16 attempts.
Glencoe continues region play next week at home against Westbrook.