Graceville falls in overtime

JACKSONVILLE - Graceville came back from a 16-0 deficit in the fourth quarter to force overtime, but ran out of gas in a 22-16 loss to Eagle's View in the Region 1-1B semifinals Friday night at University Christian.

"We just had a rough time with them defensively," Graceville coach Todd Wertenberger said.

After tying it at 16-16, regulation ended with the Tigers stranded at the 50. Eagle's View had possession first in overtime and scored on a dump pass to the tight end. The Warriors attempted a reverse for the two-point conversion but Graceville stopped it.

Then, Wertenberger said, Graceville ran four plays and kept moving backward.

"Pretty tough," Wertenberger said. "We thought we had this one. We have to be satisfied with 9-3."

The Tigers contended they could have won in regulation, but an apparent touchdown early in the first half wasn't signaled, Wertenberger said. That play changed the momentum, he said, but Graceville trailed only 8-0 at the intermission.

Eagle's View (7-4) scored early in the third quarter, widening the margin for the Tigers to overcome.

Their first touchdown in the fourth quarter came on a 30-yard pass to Antrell Wright and Treyshaun White ran in the 2-point conversion. Graceville scored a second time on a Justin Miles' 3-yard option run, and he tied the game on the same type of play for the conversion.

"We prepared good all week, but coming over here I don't think our heads were ready to play," Wertenberger said. "I don't want to take anything away from Eagle's View. They just whipped us tonight."