Photo by Brian McLean
By Nolan Ruth
X – @RealNolanRuth
MILLSAP— Going into the final game of the season, the Millsap Bulldogs were on the outside looking into the playoff race. There was still a chance to make it into the playoffs for the sixth consecutive year, but they had to come out on top against their rival Henrietta Bearcats.
The Bulldogs also did not control their own destiny, as the game between Jacksboro and Holliday played a role in the outcome as well. Jacksboro ultimately defeated Holliday, which meant Millsap would have had to have won by 15 points or more to cause a three-way tie.
However, it was ultimately moot as Henrietta rode a strong second half behind running back Cruse Coleman’s four touchdown performance.
Millsap’s core group of sophomores kept the game close early on as both defenses dominated the first half. The Bulldogs also had the best offensive opportunity in the first half but turned it over on downs in plus territory.
The first half came to a close with a scoreless tie.
Knowing what was at stake, Millsap came out firing in the second half and got a big score when Braun Johnson took the snap out of the wildcat formation and pitched to Cash Webb on the reverse for the six yard touchdown. Johnson then scored the two point conversion to make it 8-0.
The Bulldogs tried an onside kick but could not recover. The Bearcats quickly found a response on a long pass play to set them up with first and goal. Four plays later, Henrietta found paydirt on Coleman’s first touchdown run with help from his team pushing him over the goal line. The two point conversion tied the game at eight after three quarters.
It did not take long into the fourth quarter for the Bearcats to strike again when Coleman sliced through the Millsap defense from five yards out. However, the extra point was missed, keeping the score at 14-8 and giving the Bulldogs a little bit of hope despite the dwindling time.
On the ensuing drive, Millsap converted twice on third down but gave up a crucial interception. However, on the next play the Bulldog defense forced a fumble and came up with it. Unfortunately they turned it over on downs, setting up Coleman’s second touchdown from 14 yards out.
After one more stop, Coleman put the game on ice with a 27-yard run to bring the final score to 27-8.
Henrietta clinched a playoff berth with the win, time and date to be determined. Meanwhile, Millsap finds itself going home early for the first time since 2019. However, with a strong group of underclassmen, the Bulldogs are already looking ahead to the next season.
