COOKEVILLE, Tenn. - Despite rallying in the closing seconds to force overtime, Tyner fell short in Friday afternoon's Class 2A Blue Cross Bowl, losing the state championship game 27-21 in double overtime to Union City.
The Rams came from a 14-0 deficit, driving for the tying touchdown in the final minute. After a 33-yard TD pass from Jaylen Bowens to Jeremiah Batiste brought Tyner within 14-12 with 14 seconds remaining, those two connected again on the tying 2-point conversion, with Batiste making a diving catch in the corner of the end zone.
Both teams scored in overtime, Tyner answering a Union City TD and opting to tie the game rather than try for another 2-point conversion. In the second overtime, Bowens pass was intercepted in the end zone and Union City quarterback Braxten Waddell ran in a 10-yard TD to win the game.
The Golden Tornadoes ran the ball 72 times for 323 yards, never attempting a pass. Tyner finished with 221 total yards on 41 snaps, led by senior Jeremy Elston's 80 rushing yards and Bowens' 97 passing yards.
Contact Stephen Hargis at shargis@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6293. Follow him on Twitter @StephenHargis.