CARTHAGE, Texas (KLTV) – The Waskom Wildcats used two explosive plays and led strong defense to earn a 13-9 surface round victory over the Garrison Bulldogs Friday night in Carthage.

Garrison got the ball to start the game and picked up a first down before returning the ball with 8:40 left in the first quarter. Waskom quickly made three points before giving the ball back to the Bulldogs’ offense. Garrison running back Avery Yarbrough was stripped by the Waskom defense to put the ball in the hands of the Wildcats. Waskom couldn’t do anything and kicked the ball back to Garrison.

The Bulldogs got the ball back with 4:29 left in the first quarter and drove the ball to the Waskom 25-yard line. Quarterback Riley McGuire was sacked for an 11-yard loss on fourth down to give the Wildcats the ball. Another quick three-and-out from the Waskom offense gave the ball back to the Bulldogs.

Garrison’s next drive resulted in another Bulldog fumble for the second turnover of the half. Waskom’s offense was once again kept in check by Garrison’s defense and the Bulldogs got the ball back immediately. Garrison’s next drive would again enter Waskom territory, but a fourth-down stop would give the ball back to Waskom with 46 seconds left in the half.

The Wildcats would strike on their next drive. With the ball at midfield, Kelton Williams took over and ran 50 yards, untouched, to the end zone for the game’s first score with 30 seconds left in the half. Waskom held a 7-0 lead at halftime.

Waskom got the ball first after halftime and picked up its first down on its first drive of the half. The Wildcats were sacked on fourth down to hand the ball to Garrison. The Bulldogs’ offense marched to the Waskom 26-yard line and was faced with a 4th-and-4. McGuire hit Gavin Pollard on a 7-yard pass to convert the down and move the sticks. On the next play, Antonio Yarbrough took over and ran 19 yards for the Bulldog touchdown. With 5:52 left in the third quarter, the game was tied at 7.

The Wildcats wasted no time responding to Garrison’s score. Elijah Modkins took off for a 79-yard rushing touchdown just two plays after the Bulldogs’ score to give the Wildcats the lead again. The extra point was blocked and Waskom led 13-7 with 4:53 left in the quarter.

After Waskom’s touchdown, Garrison began his drive at his own 15-yard line. The Bulldogs drove to the Waskom 23-yard line before turning the ball over again on downs with 8:49 left in the game. With 3:40 left, Garrison’s defense forced a Waskom punt. The punt was muffled by Garrison’s returner and recovered by Waskom to keep the Wildcats in possession. On the next play, the Wildcats fumbled and the Bulldogs recovered to take over with 3:36 remaining.

Garrison completed a double pass from McGuire to Yarbrough to Chris McClure for a 39-yard pickup to bring the Bulldogs into Waskom territory. Waskom’s defense tightened up and forced a turnover on downs with 2:34 left. Garrison forced a Waskom punt attempt with 24 seconds left. The Waskom punter took over and ran into the end zone, attempting to run out the clock. The kicker was tackled in the end zone with three seconds left for a safety that made the final score 13-9, Waskom.

The Garrison defense held Waskom to 183 yards of offense. Antonio Yarbrough led the way for the Bulldogs with 22 carries for 133 yards and a touchdown.

Michael Coleman and Kyle Owens stopped the game in red zone overtime.

“It was just Waskom’s explosive plays and the Wildcats’ strong defense that allowed them to get past Garrison,” Owens said. “Garrison’s defense played phenomenal; they were just dominated by Waskom’s defense.

Waskom will face Honey Grove in the regional semifinals.

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