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LEANDER – In a wild game that came down to the very last play, the Bastrop High School varsity football team was able to rally and then hold on 41-40 against Leander High School last Thursday at A.C. Bible Memorial Stadium.
“Our defense made big plays when they mattered most,” Bastrop head coach Jake Griedl said. “They made some big stops and created some big turnovers. What I loved most is they had a “next play” mentality. They played every play in the life of its own. I believe that allowed them to focus in on the last play to ultimately seal the victory. Very proud of this group.”
With the Bears leading the Lions 41-34 in the closing seconds of the fourth quarter, Leander scored a touchdown to get within 41-40 but opted to go for the two-point conversion to win the game in regulation. However, a great tackle of a Leander receiver just shy of the goal line by Bastrop sophomore cornerback Kian Pucek saved the day as the Lions were denied victory by the Bears.
This game started off quickly for Bastrop as the defense recovered a fumble by Leander on just the second play of the game. That translated into points as Bears senior quarterback Braden Tuck connected with junior wide receiver Keyshon Moore for a 13yard touchdown pass to give Bastrop a quick 6-0 lead.
After the Lions scored 14 straight points to take a 14-6 lead late in the first quarter, the Bears ended the opening quarter on a high note. Following a 35-yard pass from Tuck to Moore, the quarterback found his favorite receiver once again on the next play on a 41-yard touchdown to get Bastrop within 14-12.
“Keyshon is an extremely dynamic player. He is fast, quick and tough to bring down in the open field. I am glad he is on our team and not the other,” Griedl said. “He allows us to be very multiple on offense, as well as using him to create matchups for other players in certain situations and formations.”
Facing a 21-12 deficit in the second quarter, the Bears rallied with a 38yard field goal by junior kicker Isaac Dugger and closed the first half with a short touchdown scramble by Tuck with just five seconds left to take a 22-21 lead into halftime.
After Leander quickly took a 28-22 lead early in the third quarter, the Lions were looking for more points but were denied thanks to a great play by Bastrop cornerback Diego Rangel as he intercepted a pass at the 10-yard line and returned it to midfield. The score of 28-22 was held as this game was about to get very wild for both teams in the fourth quarter.
Following a 19-yard pass from Tuck to Moore to get the Bears near the goal line, Tuck again found Moore wide open in the endzone for a five-yard touchdown pass to put Bastrop ahead 29-28.
“Braden did exactly what we expected him to do,” Gridel said. “He performed like a senior QB. He made some big plays, as well as plenty of routine plays. He did a great job managing the game behind center.”
Leander once again took a 34-29 lead but it was short-lived thanks to an incredible play by junior wide receiver Bryan Pauley, who caught a short pass from Tuck and broke multiple tackles on his way to a stunning 78-yard touchdown for Bastrop to take a 35-34 lead.
After the Bears padded their lead 41-34 thanks to a short touchdown run by junior running back Ladainian Merino, the defense was able to hold on for a thrilling victory.
Now with a 2-0 record, the Bears will have their home opener at 7 p.m. on Sept. 8 as the Bears host Round Rock Westwood High School for their Homecoming game.
