The Mineola vs Gladewater football game last Friday was not an East Texas classic, as was suggested in last week’s sports page. Rather, it was an epic sporting event. For those who have a special place where they remember the absolute highest quality football games over the course of their lives, this game deserves a place. It should be talked about in bass boats and barbershops for decades to come. 

The Mineola Yellowjackets defeated the Gladewater Bears, in Gladewater, 17-14 on Friday, Oct. 11. It was practically a perfect football game. 

No lost fumbles, no interceptions. Four penalties in the whole game. Two proud tradition-rich programs, each with a run-first philosophy opposed each other and refused to yield. The game is the stuff of legends. 

Before diving into a description of what happened, there is a bit of recognition required. The offensive line of the Yellowjackets may have played the best football in Mineola football corporate memory.

For the record, recognition is due to center Zane Bedford, left guard Brady Gully, left tackle Dawson Elmore, right guard Kaleb Barton, and right tackle Jackson Anderson.  The combined efforts of the offensive line from the first to the last snap was spectacular.

The Yellowjackets wasted no time in communicating that they came to do business last Friday.

They held the Bears to just two yards of offensive production in the first quarter, while racking up 117 yards on their own.  Kobe Kendrick, Kaleb Griffin and Dawson Pendergrass stood out as defensive performers for the Yellowjackets.    

The Jackets’ first drive stalled on the Bears’ 11-yard line. On a fourth-and 3, Mineola abandoned the run and threw a looping pass to the corner of the end zone, turning the ball over on downs. 

The Jackets’ second drive of the night featured a Trevion Sneed with a full battery charge.

On the night he carried 30 times for 181 yards and was not tackled by a single Bears defender all night. Practically all of his yardage was after initial contact. He exhibited the strength and will power which is seldom seen in high school football.

Mineola marched down the field. On a fourth-and-2 from the Bears’ 18-yard line, quarterback Thomas Hooten stepped back and threw a beautiful pass down the left sideline to Cole Castleberry, who snatched the ball to his chest and scored. Mineola went up 7-0. 

Gladewater got its engine started midway through the second quarter. They moved 58 yards in 12 plays and pounded the ball into the end zone behind some excellent power running. A jump-pass, 2-point conversion attempt failed, and the score stood 7-6 Mineola. 

As one would expect, Gladewater came out of the intermission on fire. They scored on a 73-yard drive to open the half. The score came on a nicely executed pass into the right flat which was turned up into the end zone. A well-executed 2-point conversion gave them a 14-7 lead.

Mineola answered. The Yellowjackets moved 70 yards in 11 plays to score. Seven of the eleven plays on the drive were direct snaps to Sneed. A Gustavo Sanchez kick tied the score at 14 all. 

Each team only had two possessions in the second half of play. The game would come down to the last possessions. 

Gladewater promptly marched down the field. On a second down from the Jackets’ 17-yard line, the Bears tailback saw the only clear daylight he had seen all night.

A huge hole appeared off the left side, and he had a clear path to the end zone. It appeared to be a clear path, but in a flash, sprinter Dalton Rogers closed the distance from his safety position and forced the back out of bounds at the 3-yard line. 

Rogers’ play set up yet another dramatic turn of events, as the Yellowjackets stuffed the Bears running game on three consecutive plays at the goal line. Gladewater first tried off left tackle, then a quick hitter with the fullback up the middle, and finally off right tackle. The Jacket defense simply refused to yield ground. There was no gain on the Bears first, second and third-down running plays. 

A roll-out pass on fourth down became a scramble, and the Yellowjackets threw the Bears quarterback for a loss. The goal line stand was complete. Mineola took over on their own 3-yard line.

The Mineola drive, which ended the game when Sanchez booted a game-winning field goal as time expired, will likely become required viewing for all future Mineola athletes.

The Jackets moved the ball 89 yards in 19 plays to set up the winning kick. Averaging less than 5 yards per play, this drive was all about will power and guts. 

The elation at the Mineola sideline when the winning kick went through was well-deserved. They had won an epic athletic event, one for the ages.    

The Yellowjackets host the White Oak Roughnecks this Friday at Meredith Memorial Stadium.