Madras defeats Lee by less than a yard for CCMSAL football title

The Lee Timberwolves came within inches from the end zone but it was not meant to be Tuesday night as they were defeated in overtime by the Madras Eagles 22-20 in the football championship game of The Coweta County Middle School Athletic League played at Henry Seldon Field.

The Eagles, who finished the season with an 8-0 record for the season, had a 22-14 lead in overtime when Josh Russell powered to his right, through Eagle defenders and into the end zone to cut the margin to 22-20 and the Timberwolves elected to go for two which would have tied the game and forced another overtime.
Josh Martin took the ball from quarterback Christian Reed the three and went to his right where he was met by several defenders who were aided by a couple more and despite the power exhibited by Martin, he would be stopped inside the one yard line and the game ended.
The game was tied at 14-14 going into overtime and the Eagles had the first possession at the 15 yard line where they didn’t need long to take the lead.
After an incomplete pass and a five-yard run by Nick Carter, Madras quarterback Kyle McLaren found receiver Devonte Johnson in the end zone and connected with him for a 10-yard score.
McLaren provided the biggest play of the game for the Eagles as he powered his way on a quarterback keeper into the end zone for the two-point conversion that would essentially become the margin of victory.
Lee took the first lead of the game as they thwarted a fake punt by the Eagles at their own 19 in the early moments of the contest.
After a holding penalty placed the ball at the 30, Reed hit T.J. Harris with a 23-yard pass for a first-and-goal at the Eagles’ seven and three plays later, Russell was able to power his way in for the score on a one-yard run.
The two-point conversion attempt failed and with 3:30 remaining in the first quarter the Timberwolves had a 6-0 lead.
After holding the Eagles on their next possession, the Timberwolves got the ball back, but a sack forced a three-and-out as well as a punt but a high snap allowed Madras to take over at the Lee six yard line.
The Eagles only needed one play as Carter took the handoff from McLaren and went to his right for the touchdown as time ran out in the quarter and the game was tied after the two-point conversion attempt failed.
Both teams exchanged possessions for the remainder of the period as each went from their 30 to the opponents’ 30 and the game remained tied at 6-6 as the halftime horn sounded.
On their first series in the second half, Madras had a chance to take the lead as they went on a drive that started at their 24 with McLaren hitting different receivers along the way as they marched down to the Lee 12 with a first-and-10.
However, the 16-play drive came to an end as Harris intercepted a McLaren pass at the two yard line with 10 seconds remaining in the period.
After holding the Timberwolves to a three-and-out, the Eagles took the lead on their next possession as McLaren connected with Levi Garrett caught a pass from McLaren and raced down the field for a 59-yard touchdown reception with 5:53 remaining in regulation.
McLaren found Omar Bringas in the end zone for the two-point conversion attempt to give the Eagles a 14-6 lead.
The lead didn’t last long as the Timberwolves took over at their 27 and moved down the field behind the running of Martin and Russell before Reed hit Harris with a 19-yard pass with 3:02 remaining to give Lee a first-and-goal at the Madras’ five yard line.
After a five-yard penalty, Martin showed the power again as he ran to his right for a 10-yard touchdown run with 2:53 remaining and the game was tied after Russell powered his way into the end zone.
Each team had one last drive to try and win the game in regulation, but each were stopped at the opponent’s 40 as time ran out and forced the overtime.