CHATTANOOGA (WRCB) -- Arms wide in shock, Boyd-Buchanan defensive back Grant Mathis pleaded with the official on the goal line.
Boyd-Buchanan had just stopped Friendship Christian quarterback Brennan Swindoll at the goal-line to preserve an overtime win and its state title hopes.
Except they hadn't.
Officials ruled the ball crossed the plain of the goal-line on Swindoll's dive for the pylon, awarding the Commanders the game-winning touchdown in a thrilling 21-20 overtime victory in the Class 2A quarterfinals on Friday night.
"I didn't think... I mean... we just played one heck of a ball-game and I haven't seen the film," said Bucs' head coach Grant Reynolds after the game. "They made a play and we didn't, that's what it looks like.
"But our kids played with the heart of a champion tonight, and I couldn't be more proud of them."
In a game that neither team deserved to lose, the final moments played out in agony for the hosts.
Tied at 14 through regulation, Jim Cardwell brought The Swamp to life with a 10-yard touchdown on a quarterback keeper on Boyd's first overtime possession. However, the crowd was silenced seconds later when Chase Reed's extra point was blocked, leaving the score at 20-14.
The Bucs' defense forced a fourth down with two backfield stops and an incomplete pass, setting up Swindoll's heroics and Hunter Anderson's line-drive, game-winning PAT.
"There's nothing you can say to make those kids feel any better right now," Reynolds said. "We were getting the ball moved on us early, but our kids stepped up and did what we had to do in the second half.
"They never quit. All night and all year they never quit, and I wouldn't trade them for any bunch of kids in the state."
Reed's final kick spoiled what was a standout night for the senior in the Boyd-Buchanan (10-2) backfield. The speedy tailback broke loose for 134 yards rushing and two touchdowns on 16 carries. His 56-yard score with 4:49 left in the third quarter preceded Cardwell's two-point conversion pass to Kyle Thomas to knot the game at 14-all.
Fullback Kyle Wood scored on a pair of five-yard touchdown runs in the first half for the Commanders (10-3), who advance to play Oliver Springs in next week's state semifinals.
