Tucker’s sideline hesitated, then celebrated.
East Paulding’s quarterback fell to his knees.
After executing a brilliant hook-and-ladder play to get within reach of a tying or winning score in the game’s final seconds, Raiders quarterback Mitchell Webb couldn’t handle the snap of the wet, rain-soaked ball and fumbled what should have been a clock-stopping spike with 7 seconds left.
With that, East Paulding’s upset bid died on the 7-yard line, and Class AAAAA No. 1 Tucker escaped with a 16-13 victory Friday in the second round of the playoffs.
The final three minutes of the game were wild, with what looked like East Paulding’s final chance going by the wayside with a Tucker interception with less than 1:30 left.
But an illegal block brought the ball back inside the Tucker 12, and a quick three-and-out left the Raiders (8-4) with 28 seconds left from their own 48.
Webb threw a pass to Ethan Williams, who pitched the ball back to East Paulding’s workhorse Tae Ray, who scampered to the Tucker 7 with 17 seconds on the clock, trailing 16-13.
It was a perfectly executed play by East Paulding, and one Tucker coach Bryan Lamar said his defense should have seen coming.
“We were just working on that yesterday in practice ourselves,” Lamar said. “It’s just guys not doing what they were coached to do. We struggled tonight with just executing and doing what you’re supposed to do.”
On the other side, Ray did what he was supposed to do. The junior amassed 216 yards — 116 on 29 carries and 100 on five catches — to carry an East Paulding offense that marched between the end zones almost at will against Tucker’s defense.
But where the Tigers (12-0) stood out was with red-zone defense and kicker Eric Webber.
On six trips inside the Tucker 30, the Raiders came away with 11 points — a field goal, a touchdown and a two-point conversion. East Paulding piled up nearly 300 yards of offense, but points were hard to come by.
Tucker’s offense had similar red-zone issues, but the difference was the Tigers got Webber within range, and Webber didn’t miss on three shots — all of which turned out to be crucial — from 42, 25 and 24 yards.
“I haven’t been around a kicker who’s that good,” Lamar said. “He hasn’t missed a field goal all year long. Under pressure, whatever, he steps in there and drives them through.”
Tucker moves on to play Region 3 No. 1 Ware County, who beat Northside-Warner Robins 35-7 in second-round play.
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