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Graham holds off Bulldogs, 27-19
November 10, 2007 12:10 AM

Zach Duncan
Times Record News

BURKBURNETT - It looked like Graham had the outcome sewn up Friday night when Case McCoy found John Wright on a fourth-down slant that went 26 yards for a touchdown.

That conversion gave the Steers an 11-point lead over Burkburnett with 3:26 remaining. But as the fog slowly began to creep into Bulldog Stadium, things started to get a little crazy.

Graham (9-1, 3-1) hung on for a 27-19 victory, one that gives it second place in District 6-3A. But those last three minutes were full of drama.

First, Burkburnett (7-3, 2-2) trimmed Graham's lead to eight points on Derek Devereaux's fourth field goal. The Bulldogs appeared to have recovered the ensuing onside kick but a flag was tossed because Burkburnett didn’t have enough players on one side of the kicker.

After Graham's Cody Stansell recovered the second try, the Steers were in the process of running out the clock. Trevor Sparks, who scored two touchdowns, fumbled but the Steers recovered.

Two plays later, Burkburnett's Jonathan Frank stripped Jake Holub after a 22-yard, game-sealing run for the only turnover on the night. Frank looked like he was headed for the end zone but a Graham lineman alertly tripped Frank up with his leg, which tacked on 15 more yards.

The Bulldogs got as close as Graham’s 21-yard line. Only when Jordan Beach, who led the Bulldogs’ comeback with 162 passing yards in the second half, was sacked by Ryan Calhoun with just a few ticks on the clock could Graham relax.

"That's not how we wanted to end it," Graham coach Brad McCoy said. "It made it way too exciting."

Although both teams had already secured playoff berths, each wanted to enter the playoffs on a winning note.

For Case McCoy, who completed only five passes last week in a loss to Vernon, it was a matter of bouncing back from the loss. The sophomore efficiently completed 13 of 15 passes for 150 yards and two touchdowns – both coming on fourth down to Wright, who caught four passes for 72 yards.

"We decided this week it's all about having fun," Case McCoy said. "If I can distribute the ball and put it in the right spots, then we're going to have a good chance of winning."

The biggest difference between the teams was offensive execution in the red zone. The Bulldogs scored more times than Graham and outgained it by 68 yards, but had to settle for four field goals.

"They were productive in the red zone, and that was the difference in the game," Burkburnett coach Bill Dalke said.

"When we kept denying them touchdowns, and kept allowing them to kick field goals, I felt good about it," coach McCoy said. "They made a big comeback in the end, but if one of those field goals is a touchdown, it's a lot different."

Lyn Barnes was Burkburnett's leading rusher, finishing with 94 yards and a touchdown. Jay Gould had 42 yards on the ground and another 69 receiving. Holub led Graham with 88 yards.
Both teams' bi-district playoff pairings are set. Burkburnett will play Canyon at 8 p.m. Friday at Amarillo's Dick Bivens Stadium, and Graham will take on Dalhart at the same place at 4 p.m. next Saturday.

"In spite of the loss, I think we'll carry a lot of momentum into the playoffs," Dalke said. "I think we came out of this relatively healthy and that was my main concern."

Staff sports writer Zach Duncan can be reached weekdays after 4 p.m. by calling 720-3470 or 1-800-627-1646. Or e-mail him at duncanz(at)timesrecordnews.com.

Graham 27, Burkburnett 19
G 7 7 7 6 -27
B 3 3 10 3 -19
G B
Fd 14 17
Rush 28-157 45-203
Pass 150 172
C/A/I 13-15-0 8-18-0
Punt 2-36 0-0
Fumb 5-1 1-0
Pen 4-35 5-40
G – John Wright 10 pass from Case McCoy (Josh Elkins kick)
B – Derek Devereaux 31 field goal
B – Devereaux 23 field goal
G – Trevor Sparks 29 run (Elkins kick)
B – Devereaux 33 field goal
G – Sparks 2 run (Elkins kick)
B – Lyn Barnes 5 run (Devereaux kick)
G – Wright 26 pass from McCoy (kick failed)
B – Devereaux 22 field goal
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
Rushing: (G) Jake Holub 17-88; Trevor Sparks 4-35; Case McCoy 6-28; Cody Stansell 1-6; (B) Lyn Barnes 13-94; Jay Gould 11-42; Jonathan Frank 7-35; Jason Beach 14-32.
Passing: (G) Case McCoy 13-15-0, 150 yards; (B) Jason Beach 8-17-0, 172 yards; Jonathan Frank 0-1-0, 0 yards.
Receiving: (G) John Wright 4-72; Casey Cox 3-29; Cody Stansell 1-23; Brady Bynum 1-12; Hubbell Allen 2-10; Jake Holub 2-6; (B) Keaton Green 4-73; Jay Gould 3-69; Jason Beach 1-30.
EOF