GENTRY -- Greenland saved its best for last on Friday night.
The Pirates erased a 15-0 halftime deficit and dominated the fourth quarter to claim a 24-15 win over Gentry in nonconference football at Pioneer Stadium.
Greenland (2-1) got two fourth-quarter touchdowns from junior quarterback Cole Self to shake off a dreadful first half.
The Pirates, who did not make a first down in the first half, came up with a huge 13-play, 75-yard scoring drive in the fourth quarter to take the lead. Junior tailback Alex Sizemore did much of the work on the drive. But Self scored on a 2-yard keeper around the left end to pull Greenland within 15-14 with 5 minutes, 3 seconds left in the game.
The junior quarterback kept it again, this time around the right end to earn the two-point conversion and the 16-15 lead.
The Pirates defense held Gentry on downs late and managed another touchdown in the final minute to set the final score.
Greenland coach Lee Larkan said the play of the offensive line and getting yardage on first down was the difference in the final two quarters.
"We couldn't get anything going in the first half," Larkan said. "It was second-and-14 every time. In the second half we were able to get yards on first down and not be behind the eight-ball every time. We ran outside some, which opened things up inside.
"Maybe our linemen made the difference. Hopefully it's something we can build on because conference starts next week."
The Pioneers (0-3) led 15-0 at halftime, but Gentry coach Brian Little said his team could have had more. Gentry turned the ball over on downs and threw an interception in the red zone on its first two possessions.
"Absolutely, you've got to get points there in those first two drives in the red zone," Little said. "I think if you do that, you make that deficit to overcome a little tougher. Things didn't go our way and we got a little fatigued. But, hey, give them credit, they did what they needed to do to come back."
Extra Points
• Gentry did not manage a first down in the fourth quarter.
• Both Gentry touchdowns were passes by quarterback Stone Faulkenberry, one to Jon Brown and the other to his brother, Jake.
• Greenland's first first down of the game came with 7:14 left in the third quarter.
• Senior Mycah Turtle was crowned as the Gentry homecoming queen in a ceremony prior to the game.
Up next: Gentry will open 4A-1 Conference play by hosting Pea Ridge, while Greenland hosts Cedarville to open 3A-1 league play.
Sports on 09/24/2014