Manvel rallies to drop Dawson in overtime

November 9, 2010

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CLUTCH RECEIVER - Manvel's Phillip Sostand (13) looks for running room after catching a pass against Dawson. The senior wide receiver caught an 18-yard pass from Travaughn Colwell on the final play of the game. Josh Martinez hit the PAT to tie up the game 14-14. The Mavs recovered a Dawson fumble on the first possession by the Eagles in overtime. Manvel scored on a 23-yard run by Kaylon Melancon to pull out the miraculous win 20-14 victory. The Mavs will travel to Clute on Friday, November 12 to face Rosenberg Terry (6-4) at 7:30 p.m. at Hopper Stadium. (Photo by Randy Edens)

ALVIN — The Dawson Eagles found out that one of the foundational principles that the head coach Eric Wells and his coaching staff layed out from the very beginning of Dawson's football existence was that the players were to play 48 minutes. Not 47 minutes and 59 seconds, but the entire 48 minutes.

Why? Because as long as there is one second left in the game -- the other team can use one play to either snatch victory out of your hand or tie up the game to have new life in overtime.

For 44 minutes and 34 seconds, Dawson had the game in hand with a 14-0 lead and a share of the District 24-4A championship in their grasp. But at the 3:26 mark of the fourth quarter, Manvel finally found the end zone on a 34-yard pass from Dexter Foreman to Kaylon Melancon. Josh Martinez hit the extra point to cut the lead to 14-7.

And then, with no time showing on the clock, Manvel's final play of the game resulted in an 18-yard scoring pass from Travaughn Colwell to Phillip Sostand. The all important extra point found the mark and the game ended in a 14-14 tie and both teams had to get ready for overtime.

Dawson scored their 14 points in the first half as Tre' Oliver scored on a 4-yard run with 3:38 left in the first quarter.

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TOUCHDOWN! - Dawson's Payton Jones scores on a 1-yard run to give the Eagles a 14-0 lead in the first half. The lead held up until Manvel scored two touchdowns in the final four minutes of the game and then scored another TD in overtime to upset the Eagles 20-14 in the final game of the season. Both teams will advance to the playoffs this coming Friday. (Photo by Randy Edens)

The second scoring drive began at the Eagles' six-yard line. The offense marched 94 yards in 20 plays and took 9:11 off the game clock for a 14-0 lead. Running back Payton Jones was the leading ball carrier in the drive as he carried nine times for 29 yards including a one-yard spurt off the right side on fourth and goal for the touchdown.

The Eagles got the first possession in overtime and moved the ball to the Maverick nine-yard line. However, James White fumbled at the three-yard line and Manvel recovered.

Manvel took advantage of the opportunity as Melancon zipped through the Dawson defense on their second play for a 23-yard touchdown to give the Mavericks the unlikely miracle finish and the 20-14 win.

While both teams had playoff slots locked up -- there are two big lessons for the teams to take to the post-season.

For Dawson, the players had better remember what their coaches have been preaching since day one. Play the entire 48 minutes -- or as Yogi Berra would say, "It ain't over til it's over!"

For Manvel, the players should never give up against a playoff opponent.

Now the real season begins as Dawson (6-4) will travel to Angleton to face the Wildcats (7-3) on Friday, November 12 at 7:00 p.m. in the Class 4A Region III bi-district contest. The Eagles are the defending 4A Region III champions.

Manvel (8-2) will face Rosenberg Terry (6-4) on Friday, November 12 at 7:30 p.m. at Hopper Stadium in Clute.

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