The Summer Creek Bulldogs were searching for their first district championship since 2013.
The Atascocita Eagles were looking to win their second straight district title.
And in the end, this thrilling showdown came down to a kick.
Eagles kicker Tristan Heaton made the kick, a 34-yard field goal with three seconds to play, and the Eagles defeated the Bulldogs 36-35, to move within two victories of another District 22-6A district title.
The showdown of two undefeated district teams didn’t start out like it, however. Atascocita took a quick 9-0 lead as Atascocita scored a touchdown and a safety off two Bulldogs special teams errors.
However, the Bulldogs got back in it by scoring two touchdowns off of Atascocita turnovers; Sam Williams scored on a 46-yard touchdown run and 10-yard touchdown catch.
Jakobe Perkins added a 32-yard touchdown catch, and Jamison Frazier had a 25-yard touchdown catch and the Bulldogs were up 28-16 at half.
But early in the second half, the Eagles got a huge defensive stand inside their red zone and converted it into a long drive, capped off by an 11-yard touchdown run by Quincy Thompson, his second of the night.
Then, in the fourth quarter, the Eagles capped another long touchdown drive with a 14-yard touchdown pass from Brice Matthews to Dylan Robinson.
TJ Thomas added a two point conversion for a 31-28 Eagles lead. But Summer Creek would respond.
They drove 75 yards in 11 plays, capped off by Frazier’s second 25-yard touchdown catch of the night – on fourth down – for a 35-31 Bulldogs lead. And after a stop on the next possession, the Bulldogs appeared to be in command.
But the Eagles forced a three and out, and blocked a punt for a safety, cutting the lead to two. And on the final possession, they drove seven plays to set up Heaton’s game winning field goal.
The Eagles can clinch a share of the title Thursday in Pasadena. Summer Creek takes on Sam Rayburn Saturday at Turner Stadium.
