Late TD lifts Lavaca over Mayflower

LAVACA — Mayflower finally got to open postseason play Friday night, but a valiant rally attempt fell short, as Lavaca had the final big play in a back-and-forth game and escaped with a 43-37 win in first-round action of the Class 3A state playoffs.

The Golden Arrows opened the game with an 18-0 lead. The Eagles were able to fight back with 15 unanswered points, and both offenses continued to put up points. However, Lavaca scored on a 40-yard touchdown pass in the waning seconds to secure the win.

“I’m really proud of the guys,” Mayflower coach Jed Davis said. “They never gave up.”

The Eagles, who had five touchdowns called back due to penalties, trailed 37-23 with six minutes left. Jordan Dycus threw touchdowns of 6 and 17 yards, respectively, to Cody Elmore and Lane Mabry to tie the game.

“We thought we were going into overtime,” Davis said. “We overcame all night. The last play got us.”

Dycus also had a 26-yard touchdown pass to Wesley Varnell in the game. Demetrius Lasker had touchdown runs of 12 and 5 yards.

“Demetrius had a good game,” Davis said. “Our passing game was good, too. We were able to do some things we thought we could.”

The game was originally scheduled for last week. However, a ruling by the Arkansas Activities Association said that Lamar had an ineligible player and had to forfeit all of its conference wins. Then last Thursday, a Pope County judge ruled that the player was eligible, and the 3A playoffs were suspended indefinitely. On Monday, the AAA reinstated Lamar into the playoffs and moved the first round back a week.