Woods, Allen Lead Gosnell’s Second-Half Rally Past Pocahontas

Gosnell 36, Pocahontas 21

Mason Woods scored three second-half touchdowns, and Jamar Allen added two rushing scores as Gosnell rallied past Pocahontas 36–21 Friday night. The Pirates scored the final 22 points after trailing 21–14 in the third quarter, improving to 4–0 in their conference opener.

Pocahontas dictated the first half with touchdown drives of 99 and 80 yards. Gosnell answered after halftime with four rushing touchdowns, two interceptions and a fourth-down stop near its goal line that protected a nine-point lead.

Lane Thielemier supplied the first momentum swing, intercepting a pass near the Pocahontas 1 after Gosnell drove inside the 10 on its opening possession. Ace Brooks then guided the Redskins the length of the field, completing passes to Parker Radcliff, Ryder Starr, Xavyer Ballard and Ryder Baltz along the way.

Neither team scored in the first quarter. Ballard finished the long possession with a 10-yard touchdown run at the 11:19 mark of the second, and Jaxon McDonald’s kick made it 7–0.

Gosnell responded with a sustained drive of its own. Baltz briefly pushed the Pirates backward with a tackle for loss near the goal line, but Allen scored on a 1-yard keeper with 5:26 remaining. The extra point tied it 7–7.

Brooks and Ballard produced another answer before halftime. Baltz’s third-down reception carried Pocahontas across midfield, and Brooks later lofted a fourth-down pass to Ballard at the Gosnell 2. Ballard scored from there with 35 seconds left, sending Pocahontas into halftime ahead 14–7.

The third quarter brought three touchdowns in a span of 1:35. Gosnell’s first interception set up Allen’s 43-yard touchdown run, tying the score with 5:57 remaining. Ballard immediately returned the ensuing kickoff for his third touchdown, and McDonald’s third extra point restored Pocahontas’ seven-point lead just 11 seconds later.

Gosnell answered again. Allen converted third-and-10 with a completion, keeping alive a possession that Woods finished with a 29-yard touchdown run. Allen’s two-point keeper put the Pirates ahead for the first time, 22–21, with 4:22 left in the quarter.

The Pirates’ defense broke up a fourth-down pass early in the fourth quarter, giving Gosnell possession at the Pocahontas 40. Allen converted another third down on the ground before Woods scored from the 3. A successful two-point run stretched the advantage to 30–21.

Pocahontas drove to the Gosnell 7, but the Pirates stopped a fourth-and-short run with 6:52 remaining. Thielemier later broke up a third-down pass near the end zone, helping the Redskins regain possession with 2:25 left. Gosnell’s second interception set up Woods’ final touchdown run with 52 seconds remaining.

Senior Mason Booker also supplied early stops for Gosnell, tackling Brooks for a two-yard loss and stopping Ballard on Pocahontas’ next possession.

Ballard finished with 73 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 19 carries, two catches for 34 yards and the kickoff-return score. Brooks completed 14 of 23 passes for 172 yards. Baltz added three receptions for 44 yards, while Starr caught four passes for 20. Thielemier contributed a 10-yard reception to go with his interception and late pass breakup.

Scoring summary

Players who stood out

• Mason Woods, Gosnell: Three second-half rushing touchdowns, including runs of 29 and 3 yards and the final score with 52 seconds remaining.
• Jamar Allen, Gosnell: Touchdown runs of 1 and 43 yards; his two-point keeper gave the Pirates their first lead.
• Xavyer Ballard, Pocahontas: 19 carries for 73 yards and two touchdowns; two catches for 34 yards; a kickoff-return touchdown.
• Ace Brooks, Pocahontas: Completed 14 of 23 passes for 172 yards and directed touchdown drives of 99 and 80 yards.
• Lane Thielemier, Pocahontas: Interception near his own goal line, a fourth-quarter pass breakup near the end zone and a 10-yard reception.