ROBINSON — The Brownwood Lions carried a seven-point lead into the fourth quarter Friday night, but the Robinson Rockets rallied for a 20-14 victory in the teams’ first meeting.
Brownwood held Robinson to 20 points, 24 below the Rockets’ season average and a season low for the team. The Lions led 14-7 in the third quarter, but Robinson quarterback Brice McCurdy scored on a 2-yard run to tie the game before throwing the go-ahead touchdown late in the fourth period.
Late Robinson touchdown decides the game
With 1:55 remaining, McCurdy connected with Brayden Terry on a 4-yard touchdown pass to put the Rockets ahead. Wyatt Wolf blocked Sergio Guerrero’s extra-point attempt, leaving Brownwood within one touchdown of taking the lead with a touchdown and extra point.
The Lions’ final opportunity ended on the second play of the ensuing drive. A deflected pass from quarterback Riggs Gray was intercepted, allowing Robinson to run out the clock.
Robinson’s go-ahead score came after Brownwood failed to convert a fourth-and-2 at the Robinson 40-yard line. McCurdy immediately followed with a 46-yard pass to Dylan Medlock, setting up the decisive touchdown.
Brownwood had moved 30 yards on nine plays and used 4:33 while trying to keep the ball for a late scoring drive. After the Lions’ third-and-2 run was stopped, Gray and tight end Christian Gray could not connect on a fourth-and-2 rollout pass with 3:30 left.
“It came down to third-and-2 and we had two plays in a row where we didn’t execute,” Brownwood second-year head coach Jeryl Brixey said. “We were right where we wanted to be. They tied it, there was eight minutes left and our goal was an eight-minute drive to score a touchdown as time ran out.”
Buffington scores twice for Brownwood
Robinson took a 7-0 lead in the first quarter when McCurdy threw a 54-yard touchdown pass to Terry. McCurdy finished with 270 passing yards and two touchdown passes, along with 43 rushing yards and a touchdown.
The Rockets appeared ready to extend the lead in the second quarter when McCurdy ran 31 yards for a touchdown, but the play was erased by a holding penalty. Isaac Gonzales and Hayden Fulkersin then recorded sacks on consecutive plays, and Wolf blocked Guerrero’s 49-yard field-goal attempt.
Brownwood responded with a 92-yard drive that lasted 13 plays and 5:45. Trent Buffington scored from 4 yards out with 1:51 remaining before halftime. Buffington finished with 176 rushing yards.
The Lions opened the second half with another long possession, traveling 72 yards in 14 plays over 7:19. Buffington scored again, this time on a 6-yard run, and Aiden Jimenez’s extra point gave Brownwood a 14-7 advantage with 4:41 left in the third quarter.
“Those drives went as planned,” Brixey said. “That last one was also going as planned, but you can’t have those mistakes in execution. If you’re going to have 13-play drives, you’re going to have to grind every play.”
Offensive totals and next game
Robinson’s next drive stalled at the Brownwood 42 after a successful fake punt was negated by a holding penalty. Brownwood could not add to its lead, and Robinson later tied the game after a 63-yard punt produced a touchback and put the Rockets at their own 20 with nine seconds left in the third period.
McCurdy’s 41-yard pass to Zane Beliz moved Robinson to the Brownwood 23 before the quarterback scored on the 2-yard carry.
Brownwood finished with 233 total yards, including 217 rushing and 16 passing, and one turnover. Robinson produced 343 total yards, with 270 passing and 73 rushing, and recorded one takeaway.
The Lions will return home next week for their homecoming game against Gatesville. Gatesville entered the matchup at 4-3 overall and 1-1 in district play after losing 58-0 to No. 2 La Vega, which was 7-0 overall and 2-0 in district play. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Gordon Wood Stadium.
“I haven’t watched Gatesville yet, but we need to win the game,” Brixey said. “We need to play well and win the football game.”