Huntsville gets overtime win Pioneers fall by single point

HUNTSVILLE -- Huntsville stopped a two-point conversion in overtime Friday night to edge Gentry, 35-34, as the Eagles earned their first conference victory of the season.

"That was two good football teams slugging it out," Huntsville coach Tommy Tice said. "We were lucky to get this one, but we're proud to get this one."

Huntsville (3-3, 1-2 4A-1) led 21-20 entering the fourth quarter. But Gentry (3-3, 1-2) called on workhorse running back CJ Taylor, who carried the ball seven times on a 14-play scoring drive, to put the Pioneers ahead late.

After getting bogged down at the goal line, Taylor waltzed into the end zone on fourth down to put Gentry up, 28-21, with under five minutes left to play in regulation.

The Eagles answered with a long drive of their own, marching 55 yards in 10 plays to the 1 yard line. Senior quarterback Levi Elsey, who had one touchdown in the first half, pushed the pile forward and fell into the end zone on third down as Huntsville tied the game with 51 seconds left in the fourth quarter.

Back on offense, Gentry handed the ball to Taylor, who broke free for a 40 yard gain before being brought down in Huntsville territory.

Despite having no timeouts left, Gentry had a first down at Huntsville's 30 yard line. Quarterback Jon Faulkenberry connected with Jake Faulkenberry for a touchdown following a tipped pass, but the score was negated by a holding penalty.

It was Gentry's second big play of the evening nixed by a penalty. In the first quarter, Taylor returned a kickoff 93 yards for a touchdown that was waved off because of a block in the back.

After Huntsville scored on its first overtime possession, Gentry answered two plays later. But having earlier missed its only extra point attempt, the Pioneers decided to go for two and the win.

The Eagles swarmed Jon Faulkenberry after the snap, and his desperation pass fell just shy of a lunging receiver.

Gentry coach Paul Ernest said he was proud of the way his kids played despite the heartbreaking loss.

"We knew we had problems stopping their run heading into overtime," Ernest said. "But the kids competed well."

How They Scored

Huntsville 35, Gentry 34

Gentry 14 6 0 8 6 -- 34

Huntsville 14 7 0 7 7 -- 35

First Quarter

Gent -- Jon Faulkenberry 2 run (pass failed), 9:06.

Hunt -- Vaughn 86 pass from Weaver (Aldaco kick), 7:32.

Hunt -- Evans 22 run (Aldaco kick), 3:08.

Gent -- Taylor 63 run (Clark catch), 2:20.

Second Quarter

Gent -- Jake Faulkenberry 41 pass from Jon Faulkenberry (kick failed), 8:24.

Hunt -- Rayl 15 pass from Weaver (Aldaco kick), :16.

Fourth Quarter

Gent -- Taylor 1 run (Jon Faulkenberry run), 4:51.

Hunt -- Elsey 1 run (Aldaco kick), :51.

Overtime

Hunt -- Benavidez 10 run (Aldaco kick)

Gent -- Jon Faulkenberry 4 run (pass fail)

Sports on 10/14/2015