It was an ugly game. That is ugly with a capital “U.” Thirty-five penalties plagued the Mineola vs. Commerce regular season-ending game Friday.  

The Yellowjackets went to Commerce and came home with a 49-34 win. As they say: you have to win ugly as well. 

To be fair to Coach Luke Blackwell’s team, although they have had some moments of dysfunction this year, those moments were brief and fleeting. Friday night was the first time this season that the Yellowjackets looked disoriented. 

It’s a long season. Most teams lay an egg over the course of the season, even the best teams. Mineola did not lay an egg; they just stumbled at the outset. There were moments of beauty in Mineola’s effort at Commerce. 

The Yellowjackets absorbed three quick scores by Commerce and a lot of emotion within the Tigers squad. Commerce’s first three scores came on a 90-yard run, a one-handed catch of a skinny post pattern and a 65-yard run which split the defense in half.

Any one of these scores could have knocked a lesser team out for the night. The Yellowjackets just kept on playing. It is easy to say, but difficult to do. It has become their mantra. 

Less than a minute into the second quarter, Mineola had closed the score to 20-14. They had weathered Commerce’s early charge and were now purposefully reclaiming the game. 

Trevion Sneed rumbled 58 yards through the middle of the Tiger defense for Mineola’s initial score. It was a one-of-a-kind run, as Sneed completely hurdled one defender, powered through three and finished with a burst of speed.  

Just after the start of the second quarter, Dawson Pendergrass scored on a 19-yard power sweep.     

The Yellowjacket defense then stepped up, limiting the Tigers to 22 yards in their last three possessions of the first half. Midway through the second quarter, Mineola took the lead with a successful PAT after a 10-play, 65-yard scoring drive. The touchdown came on a 32-yard Pendergrass sprint through the right side.  

At the half Mineola led 21-20.

The Jackets scored on the opening drive of the second half. Pendergrass sped untouched through the left side from 16 yards out. It was one of the most well-blocked plays of the game. The Jackets appeared to have taken control. 

Commerce used a beautifully-designed reverse roll-out post play to keep the score close at 28-27. They then surprised the Jackets with an onside kick, which Commerce recovered. An errant field goal attempt turned the ball back to Mineola. 

The Jackets scored on the ensuing drive, a six-play 75-yard effort, to take a 35-27 lead. 

With Commerce moving the ball, Mineola needed a stop to put an end to the back and forth nature of the game. Sneed stepped up. He stripped a Tiger ball carrier and recovered the ball. 

Mineola drove 51 yards to score early in the fourth quarter. The game was still a toss-up as Commerce returned the ensuing kickoff 70 yards for a score. It stood Mineola 42, Commerce 34.

After the teams exchanged turnovers on interceptions, Mineola desperately needed to put a stake in this game. 

Once again, Sneed came through. He took a hand-off through the left side and out-raced the whole Tiger secondary for a 68-yard score. With 4:07 left to play, Mineola had secured the victory, a district championship and the number one playoff seed. 

Typical of the Yellowjackets this season, it was a second-half victory. They outscored Commerce 28-14 in the second half. Commerce’s six second-half possessions were limited to one score, two turnovers and two turnovers-on-downs. The final Commerce score was the kick-off return. 

Obviously, the Yellowjackets will need to start from the initial whistle to proceed in the playoffs, and the 15 penalties incurred simply will not win playoff games. 

The game, however, is about winning. Mineola needed the victory at Commerce to get the number one seed, and they did it – in a hostile environment, with a bad start. They did it by outlasting and out-executing their opponent. All of these things are beautiful parts of (even ugly) games. 

The experience of the Commerce game will prepare the Jackets well for the upcoming playoff action.