BY: Tripp Norris

Despite shutting Hillcrest-Evergreen out during the first half of the game, the Opp Bobcats fell in overtime.

The two teams were familiar foes after competing in the same region the past two years.

Hennis Washington scored first on a 7-yard run two minutes into the game to put Opp ahead 8-0.

Midway through the second quarter, Washington scored again this time from 14 yards out, putting Opp in control 16-0 at halftime.

Hillcrest opened up the second half strong, scoring on its first possession and the Bobcats’ lead in half.

Then after a controversial touching of a punt by Opp, Hillcrest recovered the ball and scored again to pull to within two at 16-14.

Just as the third quarter ended, the Jaguars took the lead 22-16.

Opp bounced back and scored with eight minutes left to tie the game at 22-all.

The Bobcats missed a field goal at the end of regulation, forcing overtime.

Lacey hit a field goal on Opp’s first possession of overtime for a 25-22 lead.

The game and the season came down to a 4-and-goal at the 1.

The Bobcats came up with three stops at the goal line to set up the fourth down play.

Hillcrest wasn’t looking to tie the game and send it to a second overtime and elected to go for it on fourth down.

The snap was fumbled, but the Hillcrest quarterback scooped up the ball and fell into the end zone for the win.

Hennis Washington was the work horse for Opp with 33 carries for 143 yards scoring all three Bobcat touchdowns.

On defense Spurlin Kelley had 13 tackles to lead Opp.

“I thought the kids gave great effort tonight, but we made a few mistakes that you can’t make during the playoffs,” Opp head coach Brent Hill said. “It hurts right now to think about the way it ended, but it’s like life, you have to learn from it and move on. We have a year now to learn from it. It hurts that the season is over, but I’m so thankful that I was given the opportunity to coach these young men. I’m very proud of what they have accomplished, but it’s hard emotionally right now. We were up 16-0 at halftime and then we gave them some momentum and once they had shut us out. They are the type of team that you can’t give them a chance. They have been doing that kind of things to teams all season.”