Lexington outlasts Rice Consolidated in second-half shootout 38-27 in 3A-DII opening round
AUSTIN (KXAN) — After the first half, Lexington led Rice Consolidated 10-7 and neither offense could find its footing. And then, it was mayhem in the third quarter.
The teams combined for 41 points in the third and Lexington rode the wave to a 38-27 win in the opening round of the Class 3A Division II playoffs Thursday at Memorial Stadium in Bastrop.
Lexington running back Noah Wright-Harris broke a 28-yard touchdown run a minute into the third to break the ice, and then the touchdowns just kept coming.
By the end of the scoring fest, it was almost like the teams were back where they started. Lexington extended its lead by a point to 31-27 thanks to a blocked extra point, but at the very least, the game became a bit more exciting.
Lexington quarterback Kase Evans hit Mason Biehle for a big gain on third-and-15 during a fourth-quarter drive that helped the Eagles ice the victory. Wright-Harris capped the drive with a 2-yard touchdown plunge with 0:50 left to account for the final score.
Rice Consolidated running back Robert Bennett turned in the longest rushing play of the night, scampering 69 yards for a touchdown in the third quarter. Two plays later on the defensive side of the ball, he pulled down an interception that set the Raiders up to take the lead midway through the frame.
Lexington answered with an explosive play of its own, a 35-yard pass from Evans to Biehle to give the Eagles the lead back 24-20. The Raiders thought that was nice and dialed up a huge play to answer, a 71-yard bomb from Kor'Dae Johnson to D'neriyan Fuller, who was wide open about 10 yards behind the Eagles' secondary after a double move route from the slot.
The Eagles had more big plays in them, however. Evans hit Owen Rhodus with 0:14 left in the frame to make it 31-27. It was Rhodus' second receiving touchdown of the game.
Lexington (10-1) advances to the second round next week and will face Stockdale or George West who play Friday. Rice Consolidated ends its season with a 7-4 record.