The Mineola vs. Rains game Friday was eerily similar to last years’ match up. After a first half chockfull of scoring, Mineola found themselves up late, fending off a desperate Wildcat comeback. The visiting Yellowjackets prevailed 35-32 in an entertaining game which matched two teams capable of moving the ball using largely the same schemes. 

Each team scored thrice in the first half. Even the manner in which the teams scored was similar. Mineola gained the end zone on a 22-yard run and an 11-yard run, courtesy of Braydon Alley. They also scored on a 22-yard post route from Alley to Colton McMahon.

Rains matched with 26-yard and a 5-yard scoring runs and a 33-yard out-and-up scoring pass. 

The difference at the half was the successful conversion of three 2-point attempts. All three were from a spread formation designed to deplete the defense. Two of the scores were highly-arching tosses to the side of the end zone, while one was a run. At the half the score stood 24-21, Rains.

Neither team made significant defensive stands in the first half. The Wildcats totaled 235 yards from scrimmage and the Jackets 204. 

There was no scoring in the third quarter, however the quarter provided some of the best football of the night. Mineola came out and stoned the Wildcats on Rains’ first possession of the half. Senior Xavier Hardin set the tone with a tackle for loss.

The Rains punt was a beauty. It carried for 67 yards and put Mineola on their own 18-yard line. 

Mineola drove the ball to midfield but put the ball on the ground. Rains suddenly had the momentum and drove to the Mineola 14-yard line.  

On an off-tackle rush, Yellowjackets Paul Stanley, Chris Rossie and Blaine Harris stood the ballcarrier up, and Stanley stole the ball. He toted it 20 yards before being run down. 

On a second-down, Alley burst through the line with a real sense of urgency. He appeared to be headed for a long run, when a tackler hooked Alley’s arm and the ball popped loose. Rains regained possession.

The quarter expired with Rains on the move and Mineola still trailing 24-21. Mineola forced a turnover-on-downs deep in Jacket territory. The Yellowjackets needed to produce points  and take control. 

It appeared as though they had. Great blocks from D.J. McDowell, Javaryon Brumsey and Juan Cervantes sprung Alley for a 30-yard gain right up the middle. The Jackets scored four plays later when McMahon sliced through the right side for a 20-yard score. 

After forcing a Rains punt, Mineola scored again. McMahon carried over from 38 yards on a run around the left end. Key blocks on the play were from Braelyn Geremonte and Bryson Myers. 

With 1:07 left to play Mineola led 35-24.

The Wildcats moved 71 yards in that one minute, with their quarterback scrambling around the backfield until receivers shook loose from defenders. They scored on a post route  on which the Mineola secondary neglected to tackle the receiver. 

With eight seconds left to play, the score tightened 35-32. 

Two attempts at an on-side kick came up empty, and the Jackets headed back down US 69 with a critical win.  Although the game did not produce the 1,000 yards of offense that it did in 2022, the teams combined for nearly 800. It was a thrilling high school football game.

Friday’s games – Commerce/Mineola and Mt. Vernon/Pottsboro  – will determine the Yellowjacket playoff destiny. The Jackets could end up third seed, fourth seed or out of the playoffs. A Mineola win guarantees a playoff spot.

Meredith Memorial Stadium promises to be a great place to spend the first Friday in November.