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Clutch plays help Mesquite Horn fend off Duncanville rally, 45-33

MESQUITE — Mesquite Horn came up with every clutch play it needed during its final drive to seal a 45-33 victory against Duncanville on Friday at E.H. Hanby Stadium.

Duncanville was on the comeback trail in the second half, cutting a 31-6 halftime deficit to just 11 points with five minutes still to play.

But Horn escaped several unfavorable situations during its final drive — an eight-play, 52-yard series — to stymie Duncanville’s comeback hopes.

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Facing third-and-17, Horn quarterback Destri White found Justyn Oliphant for a 22-yard catch and run. Oliphant evaded three defenders and broke a few tackles on the way.

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Four plays later, on fourth-and-4, wide receiver Jarrison Stewart came up with a brilliant catch for 22 yards despite impressive coverage by Duncanville’s A.J. Green.

Oliphant ran in the last of his three touchdowns on the next play. The senior running back finished the game with 102 yards on 12 carries. His longest touchdown was a 44-yard run late in the first quarter.

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Duncanville (2-1) amassed 554 yards of total offense to Horn’s 422, but a pair of first-half interceptions was the difference.

Mesquite Horn (3-0) converted both interceptions into touchdowns and finished the half with 31 consecutive points.

Duncanville quarterback Jeremiah Drake faced heavy pressure when he threw an errant pass that fell to Horn’s Darreon Jackson. Oliphant ran in his first touchdown five plays later.

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Horn defensive back Larry Bridges cut Duncanville’s next possession short, too, intercepting Drake and running 20 yards for a touchdown.

Duncanville running back Derrell Haynes and wide receiver Devante Smith did their part in bringing Duncanville back after the break. Haynes rushed for 140 yards and two second-half touchdowns, and Smith caught 11 passes for 146 yards and two touchdowns.

Follow David Just on Twitter at @DavidJustDMN

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