Fourth Quarter Comeback Knocks Mustangs Out of Playoffs

MILAN (November 22) — What promised to be one of the best games in the quarterfinal round of the playoffs stood true to its word. The Huntingdon Mustangs and the Milan Bulldogs took it to the wire with Milan waging a fourth quarter come from behind 28-25 win to advance to the semifinal round.

To open the game, Huntingdon won the coin toss and deferred to the second half. Milan was contained to a three-and-out punting away possession to the opposing 40 yard line. Brady Warbritton moved the ball 18 yards on the first run and then 22 yards on a counter for a touchdown. The Mustangs led 6-0 at the 8:43 mark. The extra point was blocked and would prove costly for Huntingdon.

The Bulldogs and Mustangs battled back and forth until the 5:28 mark of the second quarter. On second and goal from the one yard line, Gray Eubanks punched it in for the TD. Huntingdon elected to go for the two-point conversion that would end short of the endzone as the Mustangs pulled ahead 12-0.

With less than two minutes to play in the half, Milan put their first points on the board. Jaydon Peete scored a touchdown on second and goal from the eight yard line. The extra point narrowed the Huntingdon lead 12-7.

Starting the second half, Huntingdon was given a short field as Tyreke Hutch returned the opening kickoff to the Bulldog 27 yard line. From ten yards out on third and two, Eubanks drove the ball across the goal line. The coaching staff elected to go for the conversion and once again it was unsuccessful. With 9:03 to play in the third quarter, Huntingdon led 18-7.

The Bulldogs cut more into the Mustang lead at the 6:44 mark. Dee Kelley scored a touchdown and the PAT put the game 18-14 Huntingdon.

The Mustangs continued with another scoring drive in the third quarter. An eight-yard pass from Eubanks to Aiden Hilliard was good for the touchdown and Greyson Anderson put the score at 25-14.

Moving into the fourth quarter, Milan scored 14 unanswered points. With 10:28 to play in the game, Peete scored from 13 yards out. The Bulldogs elected to attempt the two-point conversion but it failed. Milan trailed 25-20. Huntingdon’s next drive stalled.

At the 6:50 mark, Kelley scored on a 50-yard run. The two-point conversion put Milan up 28-25.

Huntingdon could not respond in the final minutes of the game as Milan came away with the 28-25 win. The Mustangs finish the season with a 10-3 record. The Bulldogs advance to the semifinals to play Memphis Farley which in turn will likely put them in the championship round against Marion County.