Simply heart-breaking
Rattlers rally to eliminate Dawgs 42-40
By JIMMY GALVAN Managing Editor

ONE KEYTO THE PLAYOFF contest with Navasota was stopping the Rattlers' Dexter Pratt, pictured above. During the first half, Pratt scored on Navasota's first drive of the night and ended up with four scores on the night. Jasper's offensive weapon, quarterback Dominique Bailey, right, was also a threat on the field against the Rattlers. Bailey ended up with 188 yards rushing and three rushing touchdowns. Bailey also threw for 89 yards and three touchdowns in leading the Bulldogs. Navasota scored 28 second-half points to defeat Jasper 42-40 and advance to play Liberty Hill this week.

It was the best of times. It was the worst of times. It was a tale of two halves.

The Navasota Rattlers rallied from a 34-13 halftime deficit to defeat Jasper 42-40 and eliminate the Bulldogs from the Division I Class 3A playoffs on a rainy Friday night at Humble's Turner Stadium.

For the first 24 minutes of Friday's playoff contest, Jasper looked like state-title contenders as they moved the ball at ease against the Rattlers. Jasper's defensive squad also was playing sterling football as well as the Dawgs limiting Navasota's all-purpose back Dexter Pratt to minimum yardage.

Newsboy photos/Georgia Purdy

But Navasota's coaching staff made adjustments at the halftime break and came out with a different style of offense and a defense which kept Jasper from moving the ball into the end zone until late in the contest.

Jasper knew coming into the contest that Navasota revolved their offensive scheme around Pratt, who had gained more than 1,500 yards on the season. And that was exactly what the Rattlers did as they featured the burly Pratt on their first drive of the night. But Navasota also showed off the right arm of quarterback Jacolby Stokes as well on the initial drive of the game.

Stokes connected with Brandall Jackson for a 35- yard gain into Jasper's territory at the Bulldog 38. Another Stokes pass connection to Thomas Sweed moved the ball to the Jasper 10 and set the stage for the Rattlers first score of the night.

Pratt capped off the drive when he scored from three yards out to give the Rattlers the lead with 8:30 left in the first quarter. With Carlos Barron's PAT, Navasota held a 7-0 lead.

Newsboy photo/Georgia Purdy JASPER'S MALCOLM BRONSON finds his open field blocked by a trio of Navasota players on a punt return during last Friday's playoff contest in Humble. Bronson was limited to one reception for 33 yards and touchdown in his final game for Jasper.

But Jasper came right on their next possession.

Taking over at their own 44, Jasper needed only one play to light up the scoreboard and show the Rattlers what sophomore quarterback Dominique Bailey is like in the open field. Bailey ran in and around Navasota's defenders as he scampered off with a 56-yard scoring run to pull Jasper to within 7-6. The score stayed that way when the PAT snap was bobbled.

After Jasper's defense forced a three-and-out, the

Bulldogs took the lead in the game. Starting from their own 18, Jasper reeled off a nine-play drive that was capped off when Bailey scored from nine yards out with 2:58 left in the first quarter.

With David Beck's PAT, Jasper assumed a 13-7 lead over Navasota.

Newsboy photo/Georgia Purdy JASPER'S DOMINIQUE BAILEY tries to sneak past Navasota's Jason Orlando during Friday's playoff game at Humble's Turner Stadium. Orlando played a crucial role in the Rattlers' comeback when he returned an interception for a touchdown.

Jasper's defense kept up the heat on Navasota on their next possession as Jasper's Ryan Bronson intercepted a Stokes' pass at the Rattler 48-yard line.

The Bulldogs moved down the field and when Bailey connected with Kwame Spikes in the leftcorner of the end zone it appeared Jasper had score once again. But a penalty against Jasper nullified the score but Bailey made sure the Dawgs padded their lead four plays later.

Bailey gained the final 37 yards of the drive to give Jasper a 20-7 lead with 9:32 left in the second quarter.

Navasota came right back on their next possession to show Jasper that they were not about to let this game slip away too easy. While Jasper was respecting the vaunted Navasota rushing attack, the Rattlers again went to the airwaves to move into scoring position.

Newsboy photo/Georgia Purdy JASPER'S DEFENSE WAS STERLING in the early going as they limited Navasota's all-purpose back Dexter Pratt to limited yardage. Pratt exploded late in the game to finish the game with 112 yards rushing.

Stokes connected with Gaston Lamascus for a 53- yard gain to the Jasper seven and a penalty on the Dawgs moved it to the three-yard line. Two straight runs by Pratt lost four yards as Jasper's defense started to stiffen once again. But Navasota executed a perfect quarterback option play as Stokes pitched the ball to Pratt and the junior running back eased into the end zone for the score.

With Barron's PAT, Navasota had pulled to within 20-14 with 8:00 left in the second quarter.

Jasper responded to Navasota's score with one of their own. This time, Bailey connected with Malcolm Bronson on a 33-yard scoring strike on a fourth-down call to pad the Bulldogs' lead. With Beck's PAT, Jasper held a 27-14 lead with 5:00 left in the second quarter.

After Jasper's defense held Navasota on their possession, the Bulldogs were given a golden scoring opportunity when Navasota punter Kye Hilldreth went down to a knee to field the snap from center. Jasper took over at the Navasota 29 and used three plays to light up the scoreboard again.

This time, Bailey connected with Dimitric Brown on a 15-yard scoring strike late in the second quarter. With Beck's PAT, Jasper pushed their lead out to 34-14.

A Navasota turnover gave Jasper another scoring chance late in the second quarter but Jasper returned the favor when Bailey was intercepted by Navasota's Trey Rausheck and returned to the Jasper 21 with 26 seconds left in the second quarter.

Navasota's Stokes then connected with Jackson for a 20-yard gain to the oneyard line but time ran out before the Rattlers could snap off the ball one more time to end the first half of play.

While the first half belong to Jasper, the second half was stamped all for Navasota.

The Bulldogs held the first possession of the second half and went strictly to a run-control offense in an effort to run time off the clock and move the ball. Jasper used the running talents of senior Darren Bronson to move the ball. But the drive stalled at the Navasota 39 and forced Jasper into a fourth-and-six call midway through the third quarter.

Last week against Splendora, Jasper started the second half the same way and when faced with a fourth-down decision early in the half, pulled off a fake punt. Jasper tried the same method against Navasota as a direct snap to Kendrick Fowler gained only five yards and gave the ball back over to the Rattlers with 7:12 left in the third quarter.

Unlike their run offense in the first half, Navasota came out throwing in the second half and five straight Stokes passes moved the Rattlers into the end zone for the first score of the second half. Stokes capped off the drive when he passed 44 yards to Pratt for a touchdown. The score, with Barron's PAT, pulled Navasota to within 34-21 of Jasper.

After Jasper stopped Navasota on their next possession, the Bulldogs took over at their own 16 after a Barron 60-yard punt.

Two plays later, Navasota's Jason Orlando intercepted a Bailey pass and returned it 26 yards for a touchdown as time ticked away in the third quarter. With Barron's PAT, Navasota had cut Jasper's lead to 34-28 to start the fourth quarter.

Jasper again couldn't move the ball on their next possession as momentum had shifted to Navasota's side of the field. The Rattlers, starting from the Jasper 44, used Stokes' passing abilities to wrestle the lead away from Jasper. Stokes finished off the scoring drive by diving into the end zone from a yard out. With 8:23 left in the fourth quarter, Navasota took a 35-34 lead with Barron's PAT.

Navasota took advantage of some poor special teams play on kickoffs by Jasper. The Rattlers executed a pooch kick to perfection on the ensuing kickoff. One play later, Pratt made his presence known on the ground as he took off and scored from 46 yards out to give the Rattlers a 42- 34 lead with 7:46 left in the fourth quarter.

Navasota then surprised Jasper with an onsides kick on the ensuing kickoff and Navasota's Phillip Palmer recovered the ball at the Jasper 44. But the Rattlers couldn't capitalize on the recovery as Barron misfired on a 40-yard field goal attempt with 4:51 left in the game.

Jasper's offense, which was stale in the second half, finally used a trick play of their own to get moving once again. Bailey pitched the ball to Kwame Spikes who then launched the ball down field to a wide open William Brooks at the Rattler 30. After Brooks carried the ball to the Navasota 13, Jasper turned to the Bailey and Brooks connection to get back into the game. Bailey found Brooks and then let the talented senior do the rest as he scored with 3:40 left in the game to pull Jasper to within 42-40.

Jasper had to go for two points on the conversion and when Navasota's Malcolm Spriggs pressured Bailey who tried to pass to Malcolm Bronson but the pass was easily batted away.

Jasper attempted an onsides kick but Navasota recovered it to set up shop at the midfield stripe. The Rattlers converted a crucial first down to seal the victory.

DAWG Jasper's Jesse Boerner was lost for the game during the opening defensive series with a knee injury.