CLEVELAND, Tenn. - After a regular season full of close calls, lost leads and adversity, Cleveland's Blue Raiders came through when it counted.
In what amounted to a play-in game against McMinn County - the winner clinched the fourth and final state playoff spot for Region 2-6A - the hosts found themselves clinging to a one-point lead Friday night as the offense took over on the Cleveland 25 yard-line with seven minutes to go.
The Blue Raiders ended the possession in the victory formation after a 13-play, 50-yard drive salted away a 20-19 win.
"We're so battle-tested right now," Cleveland coach Scott Cummings said. "We have just struggled to close the deal in so many games. It wasn't pretty at all, but the kids showed a lot of resiliency and made plays when we had to make plays."
The game wasn't pretty for Cleveland (4-5, 3-3) because the offense lost two fumbles - they put the ball on the ground six times - threw an interception that was returned for a touchdown and had nine penalties for 85 yards.
The kicking game was a major difference in the final outcome. Cleveland junior Kevin Gomez nailed two field goals, from 36 and 23 yards ,and made both of his extra-point attempts, while McMinn (4-6, 1-5) missed two extra-point tries in the one-point loss.
But the biggest play of the night by Gomez was one he made on his own without putting foot to ball. With the Blue Raiders facing fourth-and-5 on their 46 on the final drive and Gomez in the punt formation, he decided to make a run for it, picking up the key first down by a yard.
"We do have a rugby-style fake punt in the playbook," Cummings said with a slight grin. "It's typically his call if he thinks he has the sticks, but he did not have the green light."
Cleveland quarterback Jackson Moore threw for 204 yards and two touchdowns. The Blue Raiders totaled 200 yards on the ground.
Contact Kevin Llewallyn at sports@timesfreepress.com.