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Isaac Medford lined up for a 41-yard field goal, but the holder had trouble with the snap. Rather than run or pass to try to make something of the play, the holder put the ball down. Medford hesitated as the ball was put in place then weakly kicked it. The ball went directly into the hands of SM's Travis Hipps, who was standing near the 20. He took off running untouched to the end zone for what was probably the first touchdown field goal return was in attendance had ever seen. Leonard's PAT tied it 14-14 with 5:56 remaining in the third period.
"First of all I knew to catch it," Hipps said. "I knew from watching the NFL and college on TV that they always start running. When I took my first step, Darius said 'Go! Don't stop running!' "
With Pisgah stunned and momentum clearly with the Pisgah, they forced a punt and got the ball back at their 46. The dormant offense that had produced only one first down suddenly came to life with first downs on three straight plays. Trent Dillard picked up nine yards to convert a third-and-seven, Roper passed to Carnes for 14 yards and Carnes ripped off a 22-yard run to the six. Two plays later, Carnes scored from the four. Leonard's point after put SM up 21-14 with 1:15 to go in the third stanza.
The Mustangs forced another punt and got the ball back at their 45. A 45-yard scamper by Roper gave his team a first-and-goal at the four.
Pisgah's defense stiffened forcing a field goal attempt, but a bad snap resulted in an 18-yard loss and the Bears took over at their 23.
After an exchange of punts, the game would take another strange turn. Two penalties helped Pisgah move from its 13 to a first down at the 33. On the next play, Gibson bolted 67 yards apparently bringing his team within an extra point of a tie. However, a penalty nullified the run, and Matt Nicholson recorded a sack on the next play forcing a punt.
Pisgah's last possession ended at its 36 after four incomplete passes.
Turnovers set up both Bear touchdowns in the first half. The first miscue came when Jordan Baxley picked up Dillard's fumble at the 14 and returned it four yards to the 10. On fourth-and-goal from the six, Brandon Crawford scored on a quarterback keeper. Medford's PAT made it 7-0 with 4:45 to go in the opening quarter.
Following an exchange of punts, Cheyenne Keener scooped up Michael Ritchie's fumble and brought the ball back 31 yards to the Mustang 25. On fourth-and-seven from the nine, Crawford hit Jacob Hannah for a first down at the one. Crawford scored from there two plays later, and Medford's PAT made it 14-0 with 10:49 left in the half.
Pisgah reached the SM 30 late in the half, but Bryson intercepted Crawford's pass to end the threat.
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Photo by Mark Haskett