Red Bay survives, advances with Winston County triumph
The Red Bay Tigers used a stellar defensive effort to squeak out a 16-14 overtime playoff win over the Winston County Yellow Jackets.
Cam McKinney led the Tigers with 17 tackles on the night, but none were more important than the one he got in the Yellow Jacket backfield on a two-point conversion attempt in overtime.
With the game tied 8-8 at the end of regulation, Winston County got the ball first in overtime. Facing a fourth-and-goal from the two-yard line, William Owens barreled through the Red Bay defensive front to get the score and give the Yellow Jackets a 14-8 lead. On the two-point conversion, Cam McKinney stormed into the backfield and snuffed out the run, giving his offense a chance to win the game.
Leaving no time for suspense, Red Bay’s Colbie King raced around the right side of his offensive line, headed for the pylon, and dove for the touchdown on the Tigers’ first play in overtime to tie the game. On the two-point conversion, quarterback Kolby Bragwell ran basically the same play, running over two Winston County defenders to get into the end zone and win the game.
“We barely got out of here with the win,” said Red Bay coach Michael Jackson. “But we did. We made the plays we needed to make.”
Both teams’ only scores came in the first half.
Winston County took advantage of a Red Bay fumble on the Yellow Jacket 14-yard line, driving 86 yards. The drive ended on a 31-yard touchdown pass from Brooks Bonds to Owens, who had 145 yards rushing on the night.
Red Bay scored with 2:16 to go in the first half to tie the game on a one-yard run by Bragwell. King added the two-point conversion run.
Both teams had chances to score late in the fourth quarter. Red Bay drove to the Winston County 35-yard line but turned the ball over on downs. Winston County took the ensuing drive to the Red Bay 14-yard line and turned the ball over on downs.
“It was a great defensive effort by both teams. We are just glad to get to go another seven days,” Jackson added.
Red Bay (9-2) will travel to Ohatchee for the second round of playoffs Friday night.
