By Tommy Mann Jr.

The Orange Leader

ORANGE — The Bears season came to an end on Friday night as the Lindale Eagles defeated LC-M, 49-21, on Friday night at Battlin’ Bear Stadium in the bi-district round of the Class 4A Division 1 playoffs.

Both teams traded possessions, but it was Lindale which found the end zone first as quarterback David Lindig hit receiver Reed Carnathan on a 20-yard touchdown pass to give the Eagles a 7-0 advantage with 4:46 left in the first quarter.

The Bears offense struggled to gain some momentum early, but quarterback Braylen Lewis provided a jolt when he threw a 25-yard pass to receiver Khayden Reed on third and 15 to give the Bears the ball at the Lindale 41-yard line. Two plays later Lewis threw a 40-yard touchdown pass to Evan Worster to tie the game, 7-7.

Lindale would respond and respond quickly as the Eagles moved the ball 61-yards downfield in 5 plays in 2:32. Lindig connected on a 14-yard pass to Carnathan to the Bears 45-yard line. On the next play he threw a 40-yard pass to Chad Ward placing the ball at the LC-M 5-yard line. Two plays later it was Caleb Hart taking a direct snap up the middle for a 4-yard touchdown and a 14-7 Lindale lead at the end of the first quarter.

Lindale extended its lead just before halftime. Following a short punt by LC-M, the Eagles took over at the Bears 42-yard line. Lindig immediately threw a 36-yard pass to Ward to the 6-yard line, and, on the next play, running back A’Million Johnson ran the ball in for a 6-yard touchdown. Lindale lead 21-7 at the break.

The Eagles received the opening kickoff of the third quarter and wasted no time in taking charge of the game.

Lindale needed just five plays to move the ball 63-yards in 2:06 as Ward scored on a 19-yard run for a 28-7 Eagles lead.

The Eagles defense intercepted Lewis on the next LC-M possession and took over at the Bears 45-yard line. This time the Eagles offense took its time moving the ball downfield as Hart capped off the 10-play drive with a 2-yard touchdown run to give Lindale a 35-7 advantage.

Lindale decided to onside kick and the Eagles recovered the ball at the Bears 28-yard line. Two plays later Lindig threw a 13-yard touchdown pass to Carnathan and Lindale lead 42-7 with 2:47 remaining in the third quarter.

The Bears offense finally showed a flash of the high powered offense it used to capture the district championship this season as Jonah Fuller dashed 92-yards to the Eagles 2-yard line. On the next play, Worster scored on a 2-yard run to cut the Lindale lead to 42-14.

LC-M attempted to regain possession with an onside kick, but it was the Eagles which recovered at midfield. On the first play of the Lindale possession, Lindig threw a deep pass to receiver Kaden Fowler who was behind the defense for a 50-yard touchdown to extend the Eagles lead to 49-14.

The Bears would add a last minute touchdown as Keagan Cockerham caught a 48-yard touchdown pass with only 40 seconds remaining in the game for the final score.

LC-M finished the game with 344 total yards of offense. Lewis threw for 163 yards on nine completions with two touchdowns and one interception. He was also sacked five times by the Eagles defense.

Fuller carried the ball five times for 104 yards, while Lewis gained 44 yards rushing on 16 totes. J’Lynn Morris added 28 yards on nine carries.

Worster had two catches for 40 yards and a touchdown, as well as one rushing touchdown. Kaden Boatman had three catches for 38 yards and Reed finished the night with two receptions and 30 yards.

The Bears defense allowed the Lindale offense to gain 504 total yards on the night, while coming away with no turnovers and just one sack.

Lindig threw for 342 yards and three touchdowns for Lindale, while running back Johnson carried the ball 11 times for 61-yards and a touchdown.

The Eagles (6-5) will face off against Navasota Rattlers (6-5) in the area round of the Class 4A D1 playoffs next week. LC-M concludes its season with an 8-3 record and as the district champions of District 10-4A.