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Goal-line stand allows Lancaster to hold off Prosper rally, 36-29, in 4A regional semis

GARLAND — After 65 total points and four lead changes, Saturday’s Class 4A Division II regional semifinal between Lancaster and Prosper came down to just 4 yards.

Trailing by seven with just over two minutes left, Prosper couldn’t convert on four tries from the Lancaster 4-yard line and Lancaster survived, 36-29, at Garland’s Homer B. Johnson Stadium.

The win gives Lancaster its longest playoff run. It will play Mesquite Poteet at Allen’s Eagle Stadium on 7:30 p.m. Friday in the Region II final.

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Prosper used a Marquez Houston 42-yard run up the middle to reach the Lancaster 4. After three plays netted zero yards, quarterback Davis Webb lofted a pass for Torii Hunter Jr. in the back of the end zone. The ball fell just past Hunter’s outstretched arms.

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“All year long, defense has won games for us,” Lancaster coach Chris Gilbert said. “The defense did it tonight.”

Lancaster led at halftime 23-21. After the teams traded touchdowns in the third quarter, Prosper drove to the Lancaster 5. Prosper slipped a receiver into the corner of the end zone, but Webb was late in seeing him, allowing Lancaster’s Nick Harvey to recover and make the interception.

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Prosper forced a punt on Lancaster’s ensuing drive but stalled on its own possession near midfield. On fourth down, Prosper punter Tyler Webb tried to run for the first down but was tackled before he could reach the line of scrimmage.

One play later, Demarcus Ayers found Harvey down the left sideline for a 35-yard gain.

“We had been hitting them underneath the whole game,” Ayers said. “Our whole philosophy is to pump fake on the underneath route and hit Nick Harvey on the go route.”

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Two plays later, Joseph Paden ran 4 yards for Lancaster’s final touchdown.

Follow Michael Florek on Twitter at @michaelflorek.