DEWITT, Ark. – The McGehee Owls secured a dramatic 22-21 upset over the DeWitt Dragons on the road Friday night in a thrilling non-conference battle.
DeWitt opened the scoring in the first quarter, as quarterback Justin Ross capped an 11-play drive with a 7-yard touchdown pass to Travis London. Wyatt Womack added the extra point to give the Dragons a 7-0 lead.
The second quarter was a defensive stalemate, with neither team able to find the end zone, sending DeWitt into halftime with a 7-0 advantage.
McGehee found a spark late in the third quarter when Ja’corrian Love returned a punt 58 yards for a touchdown, slicing down the left sideline untouched. Jose Fabian’s extra point tied the game at 7-7.
Love struck again early in the fourth, breaking free for a 45-yard touchdown run with 9:16 remaining. Fabian’s extra point put the Owls up 14-7.
DeWitt responded quickly. Ross scored on a 3-yard quarterback keeper, but McGehee blocked the extra point, keeping the Owls ahead 14-13 with 7:44 left.
The Dragons reclaimed the lead with 3:19 to play, as Ross plunged in on a 1-yard dive from the shotgun. DeWitt successfully converted a two-point attempt, going ahead 21-14.
However, McGehee answered immediately. Rashawn Brown exploded up the middle on the first play of the next drive, breaking multiple tackles on a 63-yard touchdown run. The Owls followed with a successful off-tackle two-point conversion, regaining the lead 22-21.
DeWitt’s final drive fell short as the Dragons turned the ball over on downs, sealing McGehee’s stunning victory.
The Dragons (2-1) will open 8-4A Conference play next week at home against the Warren Lumberjacks. McGehee (1-2) will host Drew Central on Friday, September 27.
