Dragons Advance after Nail-Biting Victory

In the first round of the Class AAA state playoffs, the Central Scarlet Dragon football team faced an opponent from earlier in their season, the Clearfield Bison. Earlier in the season, the Dragons had overcome the Bison with a score of 27-20, but this week told a different story.

Despite receiving to start the game, the Dragons' running offensive drive was halted after four unsuccessful passing attempts led to a turnover on downs. The Bison responded with a touchdown to take the lead. The Dragons got the ball back to score in the second quarter with a three-yard run by Hunter Smith. Both defenses held their opponents scoreless for the remainder of the half, leaving the score at 7-7.

After kicking off to start the second half, the Dragons gave up a touchdown before responding with two of their own, one with a one-yard run by Smith and the other through an astounding 39-yard run also by Smith. Heading into the fourth, the Bison scored twice to take the lead before Eli Muthler scored on an 11-yard run to take a three-point lead for the Dragons. The Clearfield offense drove downfield to make a 25-yard field goal with one second left on the clock to tie the game and send it to overtime.

In the first overtime, the Bison started with the ball and scored after a few plays, whereas the Dragons scored with a single 10-yard run by Smith. In the second overtime, an undesigned passing play gave Smith a 12-yard receiving touchdown. The Dragon defense then came up with a stop through an interception by Muthler to end the game 41-35.

Throughout the night, the Dragons took a different offensive approach, rushing for a total 215 yards, with Smith rushing for 174. Muthler also threw for 126 yards throughout the game.

With only eight teams remaining in the bracket, the still undefeated Dragons will face the Hickory Hornets at Mansion Park in the upcoming week.