A last minute homecoming comeback attempt came up just feet short as the Little Cypress-Mauriceville Bears dropped a close one to the Legacy Titans, 34-33.
The Bears looked as if they were going to run away with the game early on as LC-M jumped out to a quick 14-0 in the first quarter. LC-M scored on its first possession as quarterback Dylan Payne connected with tight end Carson McIllwain on a 9-yard touchdown pass. Two possessions later, with the benefit of a short field following an interception of Titans quarterback Kelsean Henderson, the Bears added a 16-yard touchdown run by J’Lynn Morris to make it 14-0 after the Nick Smith extra point kick.
Legacy only needed three plays to find the end zone as Henderson hit a screen pass to running back Ahmare Merrida for a 47-yard touchdown to cut the score 14-7 with 11:43 remaining in the first half.
The Titans added another touchdown when Henderson threw another screen pass left, this time to a receiver, who outran the Bears defense to the end zone for a 57-yard touchdown to make the score 14-14 at halftime.
Legacy opened the third quarter with a quick four-play, 56 yard drive. Henderson once again connected with Merrida on a 29-yard screen pass to give the Titans a 21-14 lead with 10:02 remaining on the clock in the third quarter.
LC-M responded midway through the third quarter when running back Jonah Fuller scored on a 23-yard run through the Titans defense. The extra point was no good and the Titans led, 21-20.
Just when it looked like the momentum was shifting back to the Bears, Henderson and the Titans struck again as he connected on a deep pass down the left sideline for a 73-yard scoring strike late in the third quarter. However, the Titans kicker missed the extra point to make the score 27-20.
Henderson finished the night with 363 passing yards, while completing 21 passes on 34 attempts. The Titans had 421 yards of total offense for the game. The Titans also had 17 penalties with 145 yards.
The Bears went on a nice time consuming drive as the offense moved the ball 77 yards in 12 plays, while eating over 5:30 off the clock. Payne connected with McIllwain again, this time on a 15-yard scoring pass, to even the game 27-27 with 8:17 remaining in the fourth quarter.
Payne led all rushers with a whopping 251 yards on 31 carries, while Fuller added another 122 yards on 25 carries. Payne completed 5 passes in 13 attempts for 39 yards. The Bears offense finished with 428 total yards for the night.
Legacy (5-1), which is located in Spring, Texas, only needed 66 seconds to retake the lead. Henderson connected on a 41-yard pass to Kameron Williams to place the ball at the Bears 4-yard line. On the next play, Williams punched the ball in around the right side to give the Titans a 34-27 lead with 7:11 left.
LC-M had another great drive and got down to the Titans 3-yard line, but disaster struck as the Bears lost a fumble giving Legacy the ball at their own 9-yard line. However, the LC-M defense forced a punt and got the ball back for the offense with 3:08 remaining.
LC-M took possession at its own 47-yard line and the Bears began moving the ball methodically downfield as both Payne and Fuller both pounded the Titans defense for ground yards, while chewing up the clock. Fuller punched the ball in from the 1-yard line with 53 seconds remaining to cut the Legacy lead to 34-33.
The Bears called a time-out and opted to go for the two=point attempt and the win as the Titans defense had been unable to contain the Bears running attack much of the night. Dylan took the snap and tried to run to his right but lost his footing on the turf and fell down at the two-yard line leaving the Titans with the 34-33 lead.
The following onside kick failed and the Titans ran out the clock for the win.
The Bears (2-3) host the Vidor Pirates (3-2) next Friday in the first game of District 10-4A Division I play.
-Tommy Mann, KOGT-
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