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October 31, 2009

Elks stampede back onto playoff scene

By Dale Gosser/Managing Editor

BURLESON – Blake Smith and the Burleson Elks needed a win against Paschal on Friday night to keep their playoff hopes alive. Smith took it upon himself to ensure Burleson has that opportunity.

Smith rushed for 293 yards on 33 carries and scored five of Burleson’s six touchdowns en route to leading the Elks to a 41-27.

With the win, Burleson needs a win over Weatherford on Friday to secure the fourth and final playoff spot in District 3-5A. Weatherford came from behind to defeat North Crowley on Friday night.

The score is not indicative of how close the contest really was until late in the fourth quarter.

Paschal (3-7, 1-5) took a 27-21 lead with 11:51 left in the final frame when Marcus Kindles recovered a fumble in the Elk end zone.

The Panthers’ lead was short-lived as Smith carried the ball four straight times, including a 54-yard scamper to the Paschal 12, to put the Elks back up by one, 28-27, when he scored from eight yards out.

Paschal ensuing possession ended in strange fashion. Faced with a fourth and eight at its own 35, the Panthers faked a punt as Aaron Stafford attempted to connect with Travoy McCarver. McCarver hauled in the pass, but did so out of bounds down the left sideline. In frustration, McCarver slammed the ball to the turf, inciting a 15-yard penalty, which set up the Elks at the Panther 20.

Smith took the ball for five yards on first down and then the final 15 for his fifth touchdown of the contest to extend the Burleson lead to 35-27.

Paschal had two more chances to drive the field but an interception by Preston Sullivan nullified one drive and an incomplete pass on fourth down handed the ball back to the Elks.

Burleson used a 10-play, 57-yard drive to run the clock to 13 seconds before Corey Bailey scored on an 11-yard run to ice the game.

The first half was see-saw battle. Paschal’s Emmanuel Smith scored on the Panthers’ first drive of the game on a 2-yard run. Burleson answered with an 11-play, 74-yard drive that culminated with a Smith 4-yard run. Paschal used a 10-play drive covering 65 yards to go back up, 14-7, on a Rochelle Johnson 19-yard pass from Gallagher.

The Elks tied the game on a 1-yard run by Smith and then took the lead on a 45-yard jaunt by the senior running back. But two plays later Emmanuel Smith hauled in a 22-yard pass from Gallagher to tie the game, 21-21.

Gallagher finished the game 15-of-26 for 276 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. McCarver led all receivers with 120 yards on three catches. Johnson had six catches for 70 yards.

Theo Hollars added 25 yards on seven carries for the Elks and Bailey had 27 yards on three attempts. For the game, Burleson had 374 yards rushing on 49 carries.

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