From STAFF REPORTS
RUSSELLVILLE — Boaz battled to the final second Friday night, but its postseason run came to a heartbreaking end in overtime.
After a dramatic, game-tying touchdown pass from Beau Bennett to Presley Fant as time expired in regulation, the Pirates took the lead in overtime— only for Russellville to answer and convert a two-point try to edge Boaz 29-28 in the first round of the Class 5A state playoffs.
Boaz struck first and controlled momentum early. Fant put the Pirates up 7-0 on an 8-yard touchdown run with 6:01 left in the opening quarter, capping a 77-yard drive. It was the only score of the first half, giving Boaz a 7-0 lead at the break.
Fant scored on a 5-yard TD to start the second half, giving Boaz a 14-0 advantage with 9:07 to play in the third.
From there, Russellville took over. A 36-yard scoring pass with 10 seconds left in the third cut the margin to 14-7, then quarterback Whit Goodwin ran for two fourth-quarter touchdowns to put the Golden Tigers out front 21-14 with just 1:05 remaining in regulation.
With its season on the line, Boaz mounted one final drive. Bennett marched the Pirates 73 yards in seven plays before launching a 21-yard strike to Fant as the clock hit zero, tying the game at 21-21 after Acson Aristhene’s PAT.
In overtime, Fant scored again on a 6-yard run as Boaz took a 28-21 lead.
But Russellville answered immediately with a 10-yard touchdown run, then elected to go for the win. Goodwin found Conner Devaney on the two-point conversion to end the game 29-28.
For Boaz, Fant carried 20 times for 51 yards and three rushing touchdowns while also catching the game-tying score, giving him four total TDs.
Beau Bennett threw for 165 yards and a touchdown on 14-of-26 passing, while Sage Bennett added 49 passing yards and posted a team-best 104 all-purpose yards. Jay Patterson led Boaz receivers with five catches for 84 yards.
Cooper Whorton notched the Pirates’ lone takeaway — an interception.
Boaz entered the night with momentum following back-to-back wins to close the regular season, including a 34-21 victory over Oneonta. The Pirates were seeking their first road playoff win since their 2023 triumph over Southside.
The Pirates finish its first season under head coach Luke Pruitt at 8-3 overall.
Boaz running back Presley Fant (5) scored four touchdowns in Friday night’s first round overtime loss to Russellville. File Photo l The Leader
