By TAYLOR BECK, Sports Editor
GUNTERSVILLE — What looked like the perfect start to Guntersville’s postseason quickly unraveled in stunning fashion.
The No. 8 Wildcats led 21-7 late in the fourth quarter but couldn’t hold off a furious Priceville comeback, falling 24-21 in overtime Thursday night at Chorba-Lee Stadium — ending their season in heartbreaking fashion in the opening round of the Class 5A state playoffs.
The matchup was one of many moved up from Friday due to incoming weather concerns. For three and a half quarters, it appeared Guntersville had everything under control.
The Wildcats struck first late in the opening period when Garrett Christie powered in for a 3-yard touchdown to cap a 94-yard drive that chewed more than six minutes off the clock. Defense took over from there, as Guntersville protected a 7-0 advantage into halftime by stuffing Priceville at the 7-yard line as time expired.
A third-quarter miscue changed the tone. After driving into Bulldog territory to begin the second half, a backward pass was ruled a fumble and recovered by Priceville. Moments later, Priceville quarterback Sheldon Graham connected with Urijah Burnham on a 33-yard scoring strike to tie the game 7-7 — the first of multiple daggers from the Bulldog duo.
Guntersville responded with a 66-yard march, finished by quarterback Street Smith’s 18-yard touchdown run to regain the lead. Smith added another score — this one a 1-yard plunge with 9:45 remaining — after hitting Dadrien Waller for a 48-yard completion to set up the commanding 21-7 lead.
And then momentum flipped on its head.
Priceville was forced to punt on its next possession, but with 1:51 on the clock, Guntersville fumbled at the Bulldog 23 and the visitors pounced on the opportunity. Five plays later, Graham found Burnham again from 16 yards out with one minute remaining. Though the two-point try failed, the margin shrank to 21-13.
Priceville kicker Landon Byer followed with a flawless onside kick at the Guntersville 49, and suddenly the Wildcats were scrambling to survive.
Guntersville’s Kalun Cobb delivered a big sack to bring up a long third down, but Graham answered with a clutch 18-yard completion and a tough fourth-down conversion. With just five seconds left, Graham dropped a 33-yard touchdown pass perfectly into Burnham’s arms. Bronson Carroll then muscled across the goal line for the tying two-point conversion, forcing overtime at 21-21.
Guntersville had the first possession in overtime, but after the offense struggled to move the football, the Wildcats’ 28-yard field goal attempt was wide right.
Priceville took advantage.
After Guntersville held the Bulldogs firm at the 10 yard-line, Byer — fresh off the onside kick that sparked the comeback — drilled a 27-yard field goal to finish the upset and send Priceville to Round 2.
It marked Guntersville’s second straight first-round playoff exit and a bitter end to a 9-2 season for head coach Lance Reese and the Wildcats.
Guntersville was 2-0 all-time against Priceville entering the night — including a 62-7 victory in 2009 — but the schools’ first postseason meeting will now be remembered as perhaps one of the most stunning finishes ever.
Guntersville’s Street Smith (11) fights for yardage against the Pricevillle defense Thursday night. Photo by TAYLOR BECK l The Leader
