The Plainview Indians appeared to be headed to the second round of the Class 2A playoffs when quarterback Wes Davis scored on a 25-yard touchdown run with 4:06 left. But it was not be.
The Washington Warriors had one more drive in their scheme, and they made it work to defeat the Indians 38-37 Friday night at Plainview Stadium.
“There was absolutely no quit in these kids tonight,” Plainview coach Chris Berus said. “They were down almost the entire game, and they continued to fight back. I am very appreciative of our senior class for their leadership all year. With what they’ve had to go through and the determination they’ve shown to fight for one another, that’s pretty special. I’m extremely proud of all these players for the season they’ve had.”
The Warriors drove 64 yards in eight plays and hit pay dirt when Zeke Zimmer skirted right end for a touchdown that pulled Washington to within a point with 1:10 remaining. The Warriors elected to go for two points, and Zimmer ran the exact same play for the lead.
Plainview (8-3) drove from its own 42 all the way to the Washington 20 on six plays. But with 6.2 seconds remaining, a 37-yard field goal attempt by Ben Rieck sailed just to the right of the goal post.
Washington (7-4) will travel to Millwood next weekend.
The Warriors grabbed momentum quickly when they took the opening kickoff and moved 78 yards in eight plays to take the lead. Quarterback Dakota Treat hit Justin Noel with a 29-yard scoring toss, and Washington took an 8-0 lead with the accompanying 2-point conversion.
Washington had a solid option running attack with Treat running the show. The Warriors rolled up 231 rushing yards on 37 carries, Chance Pistole leading the way with 16 carries for 157 yards.
Plainview scored on its initial possession by moving 60 yards in 10 plays. Quarterback Wes Davis scored on a 12-yard run, but the 2-point pass failed.
Washington in the second quarter drove 55 yards in 11 plays to bump its lead to 15-6 after a 4-yard TD run by Pistole.
Plainview’s Conner Choate mishandled the ensuing kickoff, and Zimmer covered it at the Plainview 18. On the first Warrior offensive play, Treat ran up the middle the 18 yards for a touchdown that gave Washington a 22-6 lead.
The Indians pulled to within eight when Davis hit Dietrich Rushing with a 13-yard touchdown pass with 9 seconds remaining before the break. Plainview covered a short onside kick at the Warrior 45, then Davis hit Rushing on a 43-yard pass play that ended at the Warrior 2 with no time left, leaving Washington with a 22-14 edge.
