Photos by Brian McLean

STEPHENVILLE — It scarcely resembled the trip to the woodshed that Graham gave Brock in a 38-0 rout on Nov. 1. This time around, at cold, rainy Memorial Stadium at Tarleton State University, Brock outlasted Graham 12-10 on Friday in a three-overtime trench war. 

Bryer McDonald scored on a 3-yard two-point conversion run in the third overtime to put Brock up for good (after two OTs, both teams alternate two-point conversions until the game is decided). This was followed by a would-be game-tying pass from Graham’s Ty Thompson that fell incomplete to give the Eagles the Region I-4A DII title. 

Brody Woods rushed for 92 yards and one TD and threw for 121 to lead Brock (13-1) which now advances to face Carthage (13-1) in the 4A DII state semifinals. 

“We’re ecstatic and happy, but my heart breaks for (Graham’s) seniors because I’ve been there before,” Brock coach Billy Mathis said. “But I’m happy for our seniors. We get to play another week. 
“You get down to this time and it’s about guts, it’s about grit, it’s about being unselfish and we made it happen tonight.”