Trailing by 20 points late in the third quarter, Southeastern came storming back in the final period before falling just short in a 23-17 loss to perennial power Ouachita Baptist in the football home opener Saturday night.
The Savage Storm dug a massive first quarter hole, managing only 10 total yards on their first three offensive possessions while the visitors were building a 16-0 lead.
Great field position and one big play was the recipe for the initial Ouachita burst, blocking a punt for the safety that was sandwiched between a pair of Tiger touchdowns.
A pair of second quarter drives into Ouachita territory were thwarted on downs before Southeastern finally managed to get onto the scoreboard when Dylan Cox booted a 35-yard field goal just four seconds before halftime. That capped a 75-yard drive led by backup quarterback Levay Duncan as he completed six straight passes to move the Savage Storm down the field. Four of the completions went to Jax Sternberger while Trevin Hohenberger and Jacob Brewer snagged the other two.
After being stymied throughout the second period, the Tigers found offensive life out of the break, marching 75 yards to paydirt and a 23-3 edge.
The ensuing drive by Southeastern stalled on downs once again in Ouachita territory before the comeback bid began late in the third stanza. Duncan found Sternberger for a 38-yard strike to provide the spark and six plays later Sean Steens snagged a 28-yard touchdown from Duncan.
Southeastern covered 96 yards on its next possession with Duncan rumbling into the end zone from four yards out with 2:43 to play. That narrowed the gap to 23-17 following the Cox extra point.
The Savage Storm defense got the ball back with plenty of time remaining and the offense marched into Ouachita territory once more before a Duncan aerial was picked off with 24 seconds remaining at the Tiger 23.
“We finished hard and kept swinging but just came up a little short at the end,” head coach Bo Atterberry commented. “I was really proud of the way we kept battling. We stayed together and finished hard against a very good team. We just have to get back to work and respond next week.” Duncan completed 20 of 29 passes for 245 yards and also led the rushing corps with 14 carries for 54 yards. Sternberger had a massive performance with 12 receptions for 139 yards as Steens added five catches for 80 yards.
Prince Dweh led the Southeastern defense with 10 tackles as Tony Hamilton tossed in six.
