The Allen Mustangs beat the Tishomingo Indians Friday night, but only after a nail-biting few minutes near the end of the game.

In a game that saw several lead changes, the Mustangs took the lead near the end, and kept it after a big defensive stop.

Down 20-13, with about two minutes left in the game, Tishomingo made a passing touchdown, bringing the score to 20-19.

Instead of a PAT kick to tie the game, however, Tishomingo elected to go for a two-point conversion for the win.

“Colton Howard, one of our defensive lineman, made a big play to stop (the two-point conversion),” head coach Rob Green said, “and we were able to sneak by with a win.”

Green said once the Mustangs stopped the play, the team was able to run out the clock.

“It always feels good to get that first win,” Green said. “I don’t really feel like we played very well, but we were able to do what we needed to do. Another thing I feel good about is, with us being a Class A program, beating a Class 2A program.”

Gameplay

Allen got on the board first with a rushing touchdown when senior quarterback Kason Smith ran one in from 21 yards out.

The following two-point conversion failed, however.

With a few minutes left in the first quarter, Tishomingo got a rushing touchdown as well. After a successful PAT kick, the score was 7-6 Tishomingo.

In the second quarter, with a few minutes left in the half, the Mustangs would again score on a rushing touchdown. And again, it was keeper by Smith. This time from 13 yards out.

The Mustangs headed to the locker rooms at halftime up 12-7.

Late in the third quarter, Tishomingo took the lead for the second time with a 20-yard touchdown pass. The Indians missed the PAT kick, however, and the score was 13-12, Tishomingo.

With a few minutes left in the game, Allen responded with yet another score. Senior Airyn Knighten ran the ball for 30 yards and a touchdown on the play. After the successful two-point conversion, which would prove to be huge, the Mustangs were up 20-13.

Tishomingo responded with a touchdown of its own, bringing the score to 20-19, Mustangs. The following two-point conversion attempt, however, was unsuccessful.

Green said this week the Mustangs would be working on improving some areas of the defense, and passing and receiving.

“We’ve really got to work on our passing game,” he said. “It was non-existent.”

The Mustangs will host Stratford Friday to battle the Bulldogs. The game is scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m.

Game Statistics

Offense

Allen had 243 rushing yards and 12 receiving yards for a total of 255 yards.

Passing

Senior quarterback Kason Smith completed two of 12 passes for 12 yards.

Receiving

Sophomore Gerison Johnson caught one pass for seven yards, while freshman Quinton Walker had one grab for fi ve yards.

Rushing

Senior Airyn Knighten led the Mustangs in rushing yards with 121 on 13 carries and had one touchdown.

Kason Smith kept the ball 17 times for 72 yards and two touchdowns.

Sophomore Shawn Husband ran the ball three times for 50 yards.

Defense

Tackles

Junior Caden Howard led the team in tackles with seven, while Gage Husband made six.

Other players with tackles included Quinton Walker, 5; Airyn Knighten, 4; Colton Howard, 4; sophomore Brody Wallis, 4; Husband, 3; junior Corey Knighten, 3; and freshman Jakob Hisaw, 3.

Standout plays

Airyn Knighten had three pass deflections, caused one fumble, and also recovered a fumble.

Corey Knighten had one fumble recovery.

Caden Howard, Colten Howard and Shawn Husband sacked the quarterback one time each.