By JAMES BROWN
WCLU Sports
For the eighth time in the program’s 107-year history, Glasgow football is unbeaten and untied at the end of the regular season. The final win didn’t come easy.
The Scotties rallied from a 14-0 deficit with seven minutes to go in the game Thursday night to beat Franklin-Simpson, 27-24, in double overtime. They improved to 10-0 with the dramatic victory.
Glasgow coach Jackson Arnett said after the game this challenge is good for the team headed into the playoffs. The Scotties had won their last six games by a combined score of 288-30. All but one of those games had a running clock.
The Wildcats dominated time of possession and mostly kept the ball away from Glasgow’s explosive offense. The Scotties had a couple of chances in the first half, but failed to connect on two deep throws.
Meanwhile, Franklin-Simpson took its first possession of the game and punched the ball in the end zone with 7:40 left in the first period. Jerrion Williams scored from three yards out. Brody McAlister added the extra point and the Wildcats led 7-0.
That would remain the score in the game until the 7:01 mark of the final period. Franklin’s Xavier Hampton scored on a 16-yard run. McAlister added the extra point, and the Wildcats led the Scotties, 14-0.
Glasgow’s pursuit of an undefeated regular season seemed doomed.
Jaylen Bradley stepped to the stage, returned the ensuing kickoff 77 yards to the end zone, but the score didn’t count. There was a flag for holding at the Glasgow 45-yard line.
The Scotties took over at their own 35 with 6:46 left in the game. On first down, Hudson Gumm connected with Jerrick Martin down the right sideline for 34 yards. On the next play, Gumm swung a bubble screen to Bradley, who raced 31 yards to the end zone. Jared Malagon added the extra point, and Glasgow trailed 14-7 with 6:34 left in the game.
That scoring drive was only the Scotties’ second possession of the second half. The defense made sure they would get a third.
The Wildcats went three-and-out and punted. Glasgow took over at its own 45 with 4:15 left in the game.
Gumm scrambled for a yard on first down, then Bradley rushed eight yards to set up a third-and-1 at the Wildcats’ 46-yard line.
On third down, Gumm took the shotgun snap, waited patiently in the pocket, then threw a strike downfield to Bradley between two defenders. He raced to the end zone. Malagon’s PAT with 2:54 left on the game clock tied the score, 14-14.
Franklin-Simpson had one more chance to try to win the game in regulation, but Glasgow’s defense held and the Wildcats opted for overtime.
In the high school overtime, each team gets a possession from the 10-yard line. That continues until the tie is broken. It took two of those cycles before the Scotties secured their tenth victory of the season.
Glasgow got the ball first in the first overtime, and on fourth down, Gumm connected with Bradley for a 4-yard touchdown. Malagon added the extra point to give his team a 21-14 lead.
Franklin-Simpson scored the tying touchdown when quarterback Brady Delk escaped a pass rush, and threw a strike to Killian Thompson in the back, left corner of the end zone. McAlister added the PAT and the game was knotted 21-21.
The Wildcats had first possession in the second overtime. A sack by Xander Contreras on third down forced McAlister to attempt a 37-yard field goal. It was good and Franklin led 24-21.
The Scotties took over at the 10. Cam Bulle rushed two yards on first down, then Gumm ran to the 3-yard line.
On third down, Gumm connected with Martin in the end zone for the winning score.
Gumm finished the game with 246 yards passing and four touchdowns. He completed 14-17 passes. Two of his incomplete passes came in the first quarter.
Bradley caught seven passes for 123 yards, while Martin had 83 yards on four receptions. Grayson Bartley caught one pass for 21 yards.
Bulle led the Scotties on the ground with 50 yards on 10 carries.
Landon Martin led the Glasgow defense with 15 total tackles, while Trace Smith had 13.
Glasgow opens the playoffs Friday, Nov. 7, at home against Webster County at 7 p.m.
Check out a photo gallery from the game here.
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