For the second straight year Durant appeared on the brink of its first gridiron win over McAlester since 2017 only to watch the Buffaloes rally late to break the Lion hearts.
McAlester scored twice in the fourth quarter to erase a 14-point deficit and then notched a walk-off two-point conversion in overtime to stun Durant, 22-21, at Paul Laird Field.
Despite narrowing their playoff chances, however, the Lions still have an opportunity for their first postseason appearance since 2011 in their own hands if they can beat surging Bishop Kelley on the road Friday night. The Comets have won two straight on the road to keep their fleeting playoff hopes alive.
It looked like it might finally be their night against their rivals from McAlester after a sensational start for Durant.
They took the opening kickoff and marched 78 yards in 13 plays for a Stephen Manhard four-yard scoring plunge more than seven minutes into the first stanza. Manhard carried six times on the drive but Cole Robbins was also efficient in completing all three of his passes, including an 18-yard strike to Holdan Robinson.
The biggest play however came on fourth down at the McAlester 17 when Axel Thurman notched his longest run of the season on a nine-yard trap burst.
Leading 7-0, Durant seemed prime for more when Cleveland Williamson intercepted a Buffalo pass three plays later and returned it 40 yards to the six yard line. Three plays got them to the one before missing a 20-yard field goal that would have pushed the first period lead to 10.
The Lion defense struck again on the next McAlester possession when Robinson snagged another interception and raced 66 yards to paydirt and a commanding 14-0 edge less than 14 minutes into the game.
A muffed punt moments later gave the visitors life near midfield but a massive third down sack by Colton Yarbrough thwarted that series and ultimately allowed Durant to take the two touchdown lead into the half.
Six straight punts – three by each team – began the second half as the hosts carried the 14-point edge into the final quarter.
A fourth down 34-yard scoring toss by McAlester broke the scoring ice with 11 minutes remaining and proved to be an omen of things to come.
Durant threw an interception moments later and the Buffs cashed in a seven-play, 42-yard drive for a tying score with 6:16 left.
The Lions were again forced to punt but the defense came up with another reprieve when Jaxon Cuesta covered a fumble.
With time running down Durant ran it to the Buff 16 before a 32-yard field goal try on the last play of regulation was blocked.
Robbins rolled into the end zone on a five-yard touchdown on the opening possession of the extra frame but McAlester immediately answered with a 10-yard touchdown carry. The Buffaloes elected to go for two and the win and completed a pass into the end zone in capping the improbable comeback.
Durant was outgained 230189 in total yardage, but 154 of McAlester yards came in the final three scoring marches.
Manhard led the Lion offensive charge with 70 yards on 18 carries.
Thurman fueled the solid defensive effort with 12 tackles with Kenyon Johnson adding a season-best 10 stops. Britton Trotter posted nine tackles as Aiden Polk chipped in eight. In total, the Lions notched 10 tackles for loss.
