With the game tied at halftime, Beckville Coach Cody Ross’ halftime speech invoked the Rocky IV movie and the boxer’s battle with the formidable Ivan Drago. The speech resonated as the Bearcats duked it out with the Jewett Leon Cougars to register a 21-20 decision in a Class 2A Division I area playoff game on Friday at Christus Trinity Mother Frances Rose Stadium. “We always talk to the guys about being the most physical team on the field,” said Ross, clutching the area playoff trophy. “That’s a tough football team (Leon) and those guys were big and strong and physical. I told the kids at halftime, you’ve got to be like Rocky when he fought the Russian. You’ve got to take the punches over and over again, but you’ve got to keep on going. We were able to do that and get the knockout at the end and we got fortunate with the missed extra point. We will take it.” The Bearcats (9-3) advance to meet San Augustine (9-3), a 36-24 winner over Waskom. The quarterfinal game is slated for Friday night back on Earl Campbell Field with kickoff time to be announced, most likely at 7 or 7: 30 p. m. depending if an afternoon game is scheduled. It is a rematch of the season opener, a 19-0 win by the Wolves in Beckville on Aug. 28. The Cougars suffered their first loss of the year and concluded their season at 11-1. The game was 7-7 heading in the fourth quarter when both teams each scored two touchdowns. Beckville went ahead 21-14 at 2: 33 when quarterback Braxton Bullock scored from the one and placekicker Jordan Mojica made the PAT. Just 23 seconds later the Cougars, despite being backed up near their own goal line, struck back. Quarterback Landon Thomas and Cooper Stevens combined for a huge play. Thomas hit Stevens on a slant-in and it was off to the races as the speedster scored on a 92-yard TD reception. Leon took a timeout, pondering whether to try for two. Ultimately, the Coogs decided to go for the tie, but the kick was wide right, leaving the Bearcats ahead 21-20 and 2: 10 on the clock. After Beckville recovered the onside kick and with Leon having just one timeout remaining, along with two-minute timeout, the Bearcats were in prime position, especially after the Cougars were offside on first down. Bullock had consecutive three-yard runs to register a first down and allow his teams to go into victory formation. In honor of former Dallas Cowboys Coach Tom Landry, the Bearcats did the Landry shift and ran out the clock. Ross was pleased with the play of his team. “We came out with a good plan; We felt like we had a few things we liked in the first half,” Ross said. “We kind of controlled the clock and were able to run the ball. So we were able to hold onto the ball and put together some good drives. Even on the drive where we had to punt, we started at our own one-yard line, but we were able to flip the field.” Bullock hit on 16 of 25 passing attempts for 215 for 218 yards with two TD passes and an interception. Jorden Prince led in rushing with 84 yards on 18 carries. Gabe Johnson had six catches for 106 yards, while Rudy Watts added five receptions for 53 yards. Mojica had four catches for 36 yards and a TD. Thomas was 13 of 17 for 213 yards and three TDs and an interception. All three touchdowns were to Stevens, who had seven catches for 152 yards. Cotton Brigner led in rushing with 71 yards on eight attempts. Leon took a 7-0 lead with 9: 45 showing inthe first quarter on a 12-yard pass from Thomas to Stevens. Gavin Whyte made the extra point. The Bearcats tied the game at 7-7 with eight seconds left in the first half as Bullock hit Mojica on a 12-yard TD pass. Mojica added the PAT. The TD was set up on an interception by Watts. Beckville controlled the ball for all of 1: 05 of the third quarter, including 23 plays to the Cougars’ three plays and a punt. The Bearcats cashed on the first play of the fourth quarter as Johnson hauled in a 17-yard pass from Bullock. Mojica’s PAT made it 14-7 with 11: 56 showing. With 6: 40 on the clock, Thomas found Stevens on a 14-yard TD toss. Whyte made the extra point and the game was tied at 14-14, setting up the drama of the final two-plus minutes. Bryan Wall had the interception for the Cougars.
https://tylerpaper.com/2025/11/22/beckville-scores-second-round-knockout/
