With the score tied 7–7 in the fourth period, Mexia tailback Isaac Griffin scored almost untouched on a 24–yard run off left tackle to give the Black Cats their first lead of the game with 7:45 remaining.
The touchdown capped a four–play, 61–yard drive that also featured a 29–yard run by tailback Trent Mack and a 12–yard pass from quarterback Trae Davis to end Chase Amick.
Gatesville was forced to punt on its next possession, but got the ball back one play later when Josh Robuck recovered Griffin’s fumble near midfield.
But three plays later Amick intercepted a Justin Biedrycki pass at the 50 and returned it to the Hornet 27, giving Mexia excellent field position with 4:12 left in the game.
Six plays later fullback Mike Gamble bulled his way into the end zone from 5 yards out to give the Black Cats a 20–7 lead with 1:29 remaining.
The Hornets had an opportunity to take the lead early in the fourth quarter after Erich Oechsle scooped up a blocked Mexia field goal attempt and returned it 40 yards to midfield.
Following an illegal procedure penalty, a nifty run by Biedrycki gained 17 to the Black Cat 37. But the drive stalled there, and Gatesville turned the ball over on downs.
Befitting a game that was tied at halftime, the two teams were evenly matched in the first half.
Each team gained six first downs and gained 47 yards rushing. Gatesville had 72 yards passing while the Black Cats threw for 65.
But Mexia took control of the game in the second half, racking up 10 first downs, 142 yards rushing and 184 yards of total offense. Meanwhile the Hornets managed only three first downs, 40 yards rushing and 50 yards of total offense after the intermission.
Cody Kilgore finished the game with 89 yards rushing on 20 carries to pace Gatesville’s offense. Biedrycki threw for 82 yards, with Robert Evans catching four for 74 yards.
Mack finished with 89 yards rushing for the Black Cats, while Griffin added 64. Davis threw for 107 yards; Amick was his favorite target, catching four passes for 88 yards.
Gatesville scored first when Biedrycki connected with Evans on a 23–yard play–action pass with 10:57 left in the second quarter.
The score finished off a four–play, 74–yard drive highlighted by a 41–yard pass from Biedrycki to Evans.
Mexia came right back, knotting the score at 7 on its next possession.
The Black Cats moved 74 yards in nine plays to score on a 6–yard run by Griffin with 7:31 remaining in the half.
The start of the game, and the season for both teams, was delayed by an hour by lightning storms that moved through the area starting about 30 minutes before the scheduled kickoff.
Gatesville travels to Cameron next Friday to take on the Yoe Yoemen.
rray@temple-telegram.com
