Heading into the final minutes of Thursday night’s game, the Allen Mustangs were behind in points, and faced losing to the Stroud Tigers, but averted disaster with solid offense and defense.

The only score of the first quarter came at the hands of the Mustangs when freshman Emmett Koonce rushed for 10 yards and into the end zone with 5:33 left in the period. After a failed PAT kick, the score was 6-0, Allen.

And Allen scored again about five minutes into the second quarter when quarterback Brayden Tatum completed a 12- yard pass to Chad Milne for a touchdown.

Tatum then rushed into the end zone for a two-point conversion to put t h e Mustangs up, 14-0.

But the Tigers came roaring back and scored a three-yard rushing touchdown and a PAT kick with 3:14 left, then scored again with 1:23 left in the half on a 50-yard rushing TD, but missed the extra point.

The players headed into the locker rooms with Allen up, 14-13.

Second Half

The Mustangs owned most of the third quarter beginning with a safety after senior Brayden Griffith and sophomore Tagus Howard sacked the Stroud quarterback in the end zone to go up 16-13.

Allen also scored a touchdown with about five minutes left in the period when Brayden Tatum ran the ball in from 20 yards out. The two-point conversion was no good, however, making the score 22-13, Mustangs.

However, the Tigers came back again by scoring a touchdown with about a minute left in the period, then took the lead a few minutes into the fourth on a six-yard rush to make the score 25-22.

“That’s kind of the way that it was,” Head Coach Rob Green said, “we’d go up a little bit, then they they’d catch up. And then finally, we put together a good drive at the end.”

A good drive, indeed. The Mustangs rushed their way down the field and into the end zone on a three-yard rush by Shawn Husband with just under two minutes to play. Husband then ran the ball into the end zone for a successful two-point conversion to make the score 30-25, Allen.

However, the Tigers nearly scored again before the game was over. But after getting into the red zone, Stroud’s drive ended abruptly when Chad Milne intercepted the ball near the goal line, much to the relief of the not only the Allen players and coaches, but the fans in the stands.

The Mustangs (4-3/2- 2) will travel to Wewoka Friday to battle the undefeated Tigers (6-0/4- 0). The district matchup is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m.

Game Statistics

The Mustangs had 254 yards rushing and 103 passing yards for a total of 393.

Offense Rushing

Shawn Husband carried the ball 27 times for 150 yards, one touchdown and one two-point conversion.

Brayden Tatum kept the ball 27 times for 132 yards, one touchdown and two two-point conversions.

Emmett Koonce rushed two times for eight yards and one touchdown.

Passing

Brayden Tatum completed nine of 13 passes for 103 yards and one touchdown.

Receiving

Chad Milne caught three passes for 43 yards and one touchdown; Emmett Koonce had two receptions for 54 yards; and Quinton Walker had one grab for six yards.

Defense

Tagus Howard made six solo tackles and seven assists, while Gage Husband had five solo tackles and four assists.

Other players with tackles and assists were Quinton Walker, 4-0; Caden Howard, 3-3; Davyn Wilson, 2-4; Chad Milne, 2-2; Brayden Griffith, 2-3; Coyt Bell, 2-1; Jake Hisaw, 1-4; Emmett Koonce, 1-2; Rodey Arnold, 1-2; Ethan Roniss, 1-1; Clayton Shackelford, 1-0; and Brody Wallis, 0-4.

Standout Plays

Tagus Howard sacked the quarterback three times, while Clayton Shackelford, Jake Hisaw and Brayden Griffith each sacked the quarterback one time. Chad Milne made one interception, while Jake Hisaw forced a fumble and recovered a fumble.