Crawford beat Rosebud-Lott 34-20 Friday night to clinch an unlikely playoff spot, but the final score was just the beginning of the wild final night.

The 14-point margin meant the Pirates and Cougars, both 2-3 in District 13-2A ​​Division I, were tied in district point difference. To determine who got the third seed and who took fourth, both head coaches, Greg Jacobs and Brandon Hicks, flipped a coin after the game. Jacobs won the flip, putting Crawford at #3.

So, once all the dust has settled at Pirate Field, and despite an overall record of 2-8, the Pirates will face San Saba (6-4) next Friday at Copperas Cove in the bi-district round. Rosebud-Lott will face Mason (9-1).

Crawford’s season was extended primarily by the running and death of quarterback Kade Smith. The senior was 19 of 30 for 380 passing yards with three touchdowns. He also scored the final points of the game on a tough eight-yard run with two seconds remaining.

It was an incredible individual effort, but Jacobs said the entire team played their best game of the year.

“I’m really proud of them,” he said. “They played hard. That’s what we asked them to do, and they did it. I couldn’t be happier.

To achieve Friday’s dramatic victory, the Pirates had to battle through all sorts of self-inflicted wounds. For example, on a critical 88-yard touchdown run just before halftime, they overcame three third downs of 20 yards or more. They were behind the chains each time because of the penalties.

Crawford has faced adversity all season. Most of the time, they didn’t make it out. Against Rosebud-Lott (6-4), however, when it was do or die, they did it.

“It’s a sign of a team that’s progressing and gaining confidence,” Jacobs said. “They really rose to the occasion and played well. I think they were focused all week. All the coaches came up with a good game plan and the players executed it well.

Of course, Smith wasn’t the only player to put up a heroic effort. Junior receiver JJ Suarez had eight catches for 264 yards and a touchdown. Smith’s late score was set up by a 59-yard completion to Suarez with less than a minute remaining.

Under normal circumstances, the Pirates could have simply gotten into victory formation and run out the clock. However, knowing they needed more points, the connection between Smith and Suarez gave them a chance and they took advantage.

On the other side of the ball, Crawford stopped Cougar receiver Carson Kahlig, who entered the game leading Central Texas in catches, receiving yards and touchdowns. He made two receptions for 11 yards.

Early in the fourth quarter, Crawford seemed poised for an even bigger victory when the Pirates took a 28-6 lead after a 12-yard touchdown run by Cade Carroll. However, Rosebud-Lott running back Gustavo Loera ran the kickoff for a touchdown, and Kahlig caught a two-point conversion pass.

The Cougars then forced Crawford’s only punt of the night, then when they scored again, all of a sudden it was a one-score game with 1:35 left.

Fittingly, Crawford overcame not one but two holding penalties on the final drive of the game. Jordan Archer had a 19-yard run, then one play later, Smith found Suarez. It still took the Pirates five more plays to find the end zone and get the all-important final margin of 14 points.

The drive just before halftime that featured the three long third-down conversions gave the Pirates momentum heading into the halftime locker room.

After Rosebud-Lott running back Zaylon Wells scored on a nine-yard run, Crawford took over at his own 22-yard line. They faced third-and-26, but overcame it with a 13-yard pass and a brutal passer penalty. Then they got behind the chains again with a hash block penalty, but the Cougars returned the favor once again with a late hit out of bounds, giving the Pirates a first down at midfield.

After a sensational 21-yard one-handed catch from Carroll, Crawford appeared to be in business at the Rosebud-Lott 34-yard line. However, a holding penalty and a sack seemed like too many mistakes to overcome, but on third-and-33, Smith found Archer on a screen pass, and a few good blocks launched him for a 47-yard touchdown five seconds from the end. until intermission.

Crawford’s other first-half score came on a 77-yard pass to Suarez at 6:38 of the first quarter. Smith threw the ball wide and Suarez made a man miss to go the distance.

“It feels good on senior night to get into the playoffs,” Smith said. “We’ve had a tough season, but we never give up.”