Bacon Bowl IX a classic
By Michael Orr

Photos by Morgen Young A.C. Flora's Otis Praylow carries down field as a Dreher's Paul Wilson tries to collar him.

A slow game turned into a classic in the fourth quarter as A.C. Flora stopped a Dreher two- point conversion with 19 seconds left to hold on for a 22- 21 win in Bacon Bowl IX. Otis Praylow scored two touchdowns for the Falcons as they won only their second Bacon Bowl and first since 2003.

The Blue Devils opened the game in style, firing up their fans and giving themselves an emotional boost, as a routine slant pass to Ethan Caulder became a 55- yard touchdown. A.C. Flora responded with a 60- yard drive, 51 yards of which was gained consecutively by Falcons tailback Otis Praylow. The Blue Devils were able to shore up their defense and stopped the Falcons' fourth down and goal from the 2- yard line to maintain their early 7- 0 lead.

A short drive by Dreher in the second quarter resulted in a 44- yard field goal attempt which fell short of the goal posts and an impressive 60- yard drive by the Falcons in the half's final minute led to a 35- yard field goal try that sailed wide left.

Dreher's Marquel Goodman stiffarms A.C. Flora's Thanos Harley (37) while Carlos McCoy closes in. Goodman scored a 54- yard TD on fourth- and- one and converted the two- -point conversion in the fourth quarter.

Opening the second half, A.C. Flora took advantage of a strong kick return by Eric Sephes and used the strength of Praylow and Carlos McCoy rushes to move down the field. Praylow plowed his way into the end zone with 5:55 left in the third for the Falcons' first score and quarterback Drew Desmond found tight end Adger Rice wide open on a two- point conversion to give A.C. Flora an 8-7 lead.

Falcons' defensive back Elliot Richardson intercepted a Jacob Gindman pass late in the third quarter but Dreher almost immediately forced a fumble to regain possession in the early moments of the fourth.

A poor Dreher punt gave the Falcons' a short field with which to work and Desmond made quick work, finding Connor Lewis down the right sideline for a 33- yard touchdown pass with 8:47 to play. A.C. Flora's extra point was blocked, however, leaving the score 14- 7 in favor of the Falcons.

A.C. Flora Head Coach Robin Bacon

After several strong runs by Shane Van Dyke, Dreher faced a fourth and one from their own 46- yard line. Coach Bill Bacon boldly went for the first down and was rewarded for his shrewd call. Marquel Goodman took the hand- off and ran virtually untouched for a dramatic 54- yard touchdown with 5:21 left. A direct snap to Goodman gave the Blue Devils a two- point conversion and a 15- 14 lead.

The Falcons responded with a heavy dose of Praylow and a heroic 23- yard run on third and eight by Desmond, keeping A.C. Flora alive. Once inside the 10- yard line, Praylow's number was called as he drove into the end zone from nine yards with 1:16 left in the game. Desmond scrambled from blitzing Dreher linebackers, escaping in time to find Praylow for another two- point conversion leaving the Falcons ahead 22-15.

With little hope and facing 80 yards to tie or win, Dreher launched its hopes in a Gindman deep pass down the middle of the field. Though he was triple covered, Goodman managed to pull down the 60- yard pass off of a Falcon deflection. Adding a roughing- the- passer penalty, the Blue Devils sat inside the Falcon 15- yard line. Two runs later, a jubilant Sterling Epps found the end zone with 19.2 seconds left in the game. Coach Bill Bacon decided to go for the win and attempted a two- point conversion. Goodman, who had earlier scored on a similar direct snap play, was unable to find room to run, sending the Falcons sideline and stands into pandemonium. A.C. Flora recovered a Blue Devil on- side kick and took a knee to win a thriller, 22- 21.

Dreher Head Coach Bill Bacon

Dreher's season is complete finishing with a 1- 9 record. A.C. Flora finishes 5- 5 and will open the first round of the state playoffs at Greenville High School November 2 at 7:30 pm.