It was a moment that his team needed him most.

Up by eight points with less than four minutes left in the game, Michael Drennon’s team was facing an opponent’s drive that could tie and send the game to overtime. But with relentless pursuit and desire, Drennon ripped through the line and picked up a fumble off a bad snap that would clench the game. Drennon’s teammates punched the ball into the end zone three plays later and would claim the title of area champions.

The Mineola Yellowjackets (10-2, 6-0) overcame early adversity and defeated the Whitesboro Bearcats (5-7, 3-2) in the area round of the UIL playoffs 50-33.

“I wasn’t really worried and if we could quit turning the ball over I knew we could move the ball on them,” said Head Coach Joe Drennon.

Following the opening kickoff, the Yellowjackets realized what kind of game they were in for when senior quarterback Jeremiah Crawford threw an interception on the first play from scrimmage. Whitesboro drove the field and took an early 3-0 lead off a 48-yard field goal by Cayden Cobb. The Yellowjackets punted on their next possession and the Bearcats drove to kick another field goal. Crawford would fumble on the first play of the Yellowjackets third possession and Whitesboro scored a touchdown soon after and had a 13-0 lead early in the second quarter.

The Yellowjackets had been there before and did not blink in the face of adversity. Instead, Crawford along with fellow backfield mate Chantz Perkins ran like mad men and the Jackets found themselves back on top 21-20 at the end of the first half thanks to the senior duo and a 90-yard kickoff return for a score by Kourtland Sinches

Crawford failed to complete a pass on the night but after falling behind Mineola got down to their bread and butter. Crawford would rush for 287 yards and five touchdowns off 21 carries while Perkins settled for 236 yards off 19 carries and the score following (Michael) Drennon’s fumble recovery in the fourth quarter.

“We came out slow today just like we did last year against these guys,” Crawford said. “We had to get rolling and once we did it was like they couldn’t stop us.”

Although the Jacket defense gave up 33 points, the unit played well but was given a short field with which to work with on three separate occasions following turnovers. Mineola allowed only 13 points off turnovers and a score at the end of the game after the contest had been decided.

Whitesboro completed only half of their passes for 66 yards and rushed for 223 yards on the night. While it was a decent output for the Bearcats, their only turnovers proved to be costly as they occurred in the fourth quarter when Whitesboro appeared to have a chance at rallying against the Yellowjackets.

“We couldn’t have done it without each other,” said Drennon. “We never had our heads down and kept playing hard through the game. Because of that, I had an opportunity to make a play for our team.”

The Yellowjackets road to 16 will continue to get harder as they progress through the brackets. A win like they had over the Bearcats will certainly prove beneficial as November ends and December begins.

“Once again, it speaks for our kids’ experience of being here before,” Coach Drennon said. “It’s a good testament to them as well as the job our coaching staff does keeping the guys calm and letting them know that they’ve been here before and to keep doing what we’ve done and we’ll be fine.”

Mineola plays the Howe Bulldogs (9-3, 3-2) Friday night at 7:30 p.m. in Royse City ISD Stadium. The Bulldogs defeated Grandview in the bi-district round and Jefferson in area round.