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Last-minute score gives Jo Byrns second win




Junior quarterback Ryan Dowlen led a last-minute touchdown drive to give the Red Devils the victory over Houston County. FILE

Junior quarterback Ryan Dowlen led a last-minute touchdown drive to give the Red Devils the victory over Houston County. FILE

Jo Byrns came from behind in the final two minutes to defeat Houston County Friday night 21-20.

Both teams came out strong on offense as they traded touchdowns back and forth in the first half. Senior Jo Byrns running back Jake Chennault scored two touchdowns in the first half to help his team keep pace. His second score gave the Red Devils a 14-12 lead with 8:11 to go in the second quarter.

The Fighting Irish scored a 14-yard touchdown pass three seconds before halftime. They converted the two-point conversion to take a 20-14 advantage into the break.

Despite the late score, the Red Devils were within reach. They had been here before earlier this season. They held a 21-7 lead over Huntland two weeks prior, but turnovers gave the Hornets too many opportunities in the third quarter, ultimately leading to a loss.

Jo Byrns learned the lesson.

Although the Red Devils failed to score for most of the second half, they did not give the ball to the Fighting Irish. And it gave them the opportunity to win the game on the final drive.

Taking care of the ball was a point of emphasis for head coach Tom Adkins in practice all week after giving the ball away nine total times in the two previous games.

“We talked all week long about offensively having to protect the football and not turn it over,” Adkins said. “(We) tell the running backs to keep it high and tight, just to make good decisions with the football offensively.”

Junior quarterback Ryan Dowlen already has a year of playing experience under his belt, so he was ready when his team got the ball with less than two minutes left and no timeouts at his disposal.

Dowlen found a couple open receivers to get within scoring range and then used his legs on multiple runs to finish it. On a rollout pass, Dowlen pulled the ball down and took it five yards into the end zone with 12 seconds remaining. Samuel Gomez converted the extra point to get the win for the Red Devils. Jamarian Lucas intercepted a pass to close out the game.

“Ryan did a really good job right there at the end of the game, that last drive,” Adkins said. “Protecting the football, making good decisions with the football, not turning the ball over, not forcing anything, even though we were out of timeouts.”

Coach Adkins said Dowlen has consistently improved throughout his time on the team.

“He’s done nothing other than get better every week,” Adkins said. “He probably prepares and works as hard as any kid that we have.”

Senior running back Jake Chennault had 123 yards on the ground with two touchdowns as well as 50 yards receiving.

The Red Devils desperately needed a boost after two brutal losses in a row. This is definitely a morale and confidence booster, defeating a Houston County team that beat them by 21 points last season.

Jo Byrns (2-2, 0-1) will try to keep it rolling against region opponent Red Boiling Springs (0-4, 0-1) on Friday.

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