Southern Sports & Travel, By Darron Thomas
Recent early departures from the playoffs have haunted the Leake football program and their fans over the past several seasons and last Friday night in Louisville it looked as though the nightmare was going to continue as the Rebels spotted Winston a 14-0 halftime lead.
Although staring at a 14-0 halftime deficit on the road Leake started the 3rd quarter with a vengeance. On the Rebel’s first possession of the quarter senior tailback Joshua Mascagni hit pay-dirt with a 2 yard dive at the 8:22 mark. Dylan Alford’s PAT cut the Winston lead in half at 14-7.
(Above) Leake tailback Brad Hunter (#32) rounds the corner for positive yards
Leake struck again just three minutes later on a 26 yard scamper by senior quarterback Grant Wilson and Alford tied the game at 14-14 with 5:23 remaining in the quarter.
Winston overcame the huge momentum shift and went back on top on a Rob Moffett 42 yard touchdown run with 2:44 left in the 3rd quarter. Tyler Golson’s PAT gave the Patriots a 7 point cushion at 21-14.
The wild 3rd quarter produced yet another score as Leake took just 1:04 to score their third touchdown of the quarter. Joshua Mascagni went in from 1 yard out to trim the deficit to 21-20 but the Rebel’s PAT attempt to tie the game went array.
In total contrast to the high scoring 3rd quarter the final quarter was anything but that. In a defensive struggle the only points of the quarter came from the leg of senior kicker Dylan Alford who nailed a 32 yard field goal to give Leake their first lead of the game at 23-21 with just 3:12 remaining.
(Above) Leake linebacker Kannon King (#41) tries to slow Winston quarterback Tyler Sullivan
Leake closed the door on any Winston come from behind score as the Rebel defense held the Patriots and forced them to turn the ball over on downs. With the 23-21 win 4th ranked Leake advances to the North AA State title game against 2nd ranked North Delta this Friday in Batesville. The Rebels improved to 10-2 with their only two losses coming by a combined total of 2 points.
Joshua Mascagni led the Rebels with 108 yards rushing and 2 touchdowns while on defense senior linebacker Kannon King had 15 tackles.
Winston quarterback Tyler Sullivan was 20/29 for 241 yards and a touchdown through the air. The junior also had a rushing touchdown.
Winston closes out the 2010 season with a 7-5 mark.
Photos Courtesy of Ashley Strength
