Under Coach Tolleson’s time as head coach of Waxahachie, the Indians have played through many playoff games, but never seemed to get past the third round. That all changed this past Saturday when Waxahachie defeated the Cypress Ranch Mustangs in a shootout. 

During the first half, senior Kohen Brown and sophomore Taylen Strange both scored a touchdown, making a statement, but Cypress Ranch didn’t take that lightly. During the second half, the Indians started with the ball and scored again, making the score 21-7. Then, the Mustangs answered back and found firepower, rushing for two touchdowns and receiving for one as well. 

The Mustangs scored 21 unanswered points in less than 10 minutes. The Mustangs then kicked a field goal, making it a 10-point game with three minutes to go. 

The air was taken out of the stadium and Hachie started to fear they were going to lose in the third round again. 

Even though the Indians’ Defense was stepping up and holding the Mustangs to a field goal, the offense knew they had to bring the Indian Magic back. Waxahachie had gone this whole year beating teams they were not predicted to beat including Forney, Coppell and Duncanville. Waxahachie was the underdog, but became a newsflash to others throughout the state. 

When everyone thought it was over, it was not. 

As Waxahachie players began to drive down the field with under 3 minutes to go, they managed to get in field goal range, and senior Ethan Guillen kicked it through the uprights, making it a 7-point deficit. With everyone on the edge of their seats, you could hear Coach Tolleson’s words – “I will not be denied – on the field. 

Guillen then attempted an onside kick and junior Jayquan Snell recovered it and got the ball back for Hachie with under a minute and a half to go. With three timeouts left, junior Jerry Meyer III found a way to get downfield and score, tying up the game, sending it into overtime. 

Waxahachie struck first in overtime with senior Nolan Barnard keeping the ball and running it in for the touchdown. The whole world came crashing down on the Mustangs. 

Junior Kade Tolleson and his leadership kept the Indians’ defense standing tall and hit the quarterback as he threw it incomplete. Then, the real celebration started. 

Waxahachie surpassed Cypress Ranch and will advance another week, facing the Duncanville Panthers this Saturday at Midlothian ISD Stadium at 3 p.m. The district and team are encouraging fans to be there and be loud as Waxahachie heads into the fourth round for the first time since the 2009 season. 

This is an opinionated sports column written by Layne Jackson.