Cloudland was unable to rally late on Friday night.
The ‘Landers came up short in a heartbreaking 24-22 decision to North Greene in Region 1-A play at Orr Field.
The loss snapped a five-game winning streak against the Huskies for Cloudland. North Greene secured a home playoff game and sets up a winner-take-all game against Cosby next Friday for the Region 1-A title.
North Greene scored first with just over four minutes remaining in the first as Jake Duffy caught a 17-yard pass from Thomas Darnell. The ensuing two-point conversion gave NG an 8-0 lead.
Cloudland, however, went to work to answer and the ‘Landers went on a 10-play drive that was capped when Grayson Cole scored from two yards out on the first play of the second quarter. Cloudland added the two-point conversion with a Landon Barnette run.
Cloudland was unable to capitalize on a late drive as the half ended in an 8-8 stalemate.
The ‘Landers came out of the gate quickly in the second half.
Cloudland used a quick six-play drive to cover 65 yards and took the elad when Cole scored on a 15-yard touchdown. That gave CHS a 14-8 advantage.
The Cloudland defense rose to the occasion as the ‘Landers recovered an NG fumble.
However, the Huskies stood strong on a fourth down at the NG 6 to keep Cloudland off the scoreboard, and North Greene scored on the ensuing drive as Yeshua Vaught scored on a four-yard run to push NG to a 16-14 lead after three complete quarters.
Cole scored early in the fourth quarter to push Cloudland back into the lead. CHS held a 22-16 lead with 10 minutes to play after Barnette added the two-point conversion.
North Greene, however, answered on the next drive as Vaught scored with just over five minutes left to push NG back into the lead.
Cloudland continued to fight but was unable to mount a rally in the closing minutes.
Cole ended the night with 221 yards on 28 carries, while Bryce Birchfield had 39 yards on six carries and also recorded an interception on the defensive side of the ball.
Darnell led NG as he went 10-of-16 passing for 149 yards and also added 18 carries for 79 yards. Vaught had 11 carries for 91 yards, while Duffy recorded eight catches for 137 yards.
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