ABILENE, TX — The Midland Legacy Rebels were the sole surviving team in the Little Southwest Conference headed into the third round of the 2023 Texas High School Playoffs on Thanksgiving weekend.
The Rebels traveled to Abilene on Saturday, November 25, to face off with the Allen Eagles. Legacy jumped out to a two-score lead early through good defense, but Allen crawled back in it to claim a 2-point lead at halftime. Legacy battled back, and the two teams traded scores throughout the second half until Allen finally pulled away midway through the 4th quarter. The Eagles downed the Rebels in the end 52-35.
Check out a game recap and game highlights below:
Legacy struck first after two key defensive stands in the first quarter gave the Rebels a short field on two straight possessions. The Rebels’ ground game succeeded early, and Midland built a 14-point lead heading into the second quarter.
Allen battled back at that point. The Eagles made it into the end zone early in the 2nd and took over the momentum from there. Legacy could not replicate the same success late in the 2nd half on offense. Two punts and a failed 4th down conversion allowed Allen to take the lead with less than 30 seconds left in the 2nd quarter on a 32-yard field goal. Allen led at the break 16-14.
The battle continued into the 2nd Half when Legacy retook the lead on the opening drive. Rebels’ quarterback Marcos Davila hit Aiden Serrano in stride over the middle. Serrano then turned on the jets and outran everyone to the house for a 69-yard touchdown. Midland Legacy led 21-16 early in the 2nd half.
Midland Legacy Rebels
(San Angelo LIVE! Photo/Ryan Chadwick)
The key factor in this playoff matchup was Legacy’s inability to convert on 3rd and 4th down. Every time Allen would score a touchdown, Midland tried to match it. On one occasion in the first half and two in the second, Allen’s defense stepped up and shut the Rebels down on 4th and short. Legacy kept the game close throughout the 3rd quarter and even midway into the 4th quarter. With seven minutes to play, Legacy trailed by only 3 points; it was 38-35. Yet, the next stop on 4th down gave the Eagles the momentum for good and the Rebels fell apart.
Allen scored two more touchdowns before the clock ran out. Legacy had chances to move the ball, but a drop here or a ball slightly overthrown there made the difference. The last surviving team in the Little Southwest Conference fell to Allen after an offensive shootout, 52-35.
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