Royals lose 26-20 in OT

The Mason County Royals' season came to an end with a 26-20 overtime loss to the Sheldon Clark Cardinals tonight at home in the second round of the Class 3A football playoffs. Mason County led 7-6 at the half. Sheldon Clark used two long time-consuming drives in the second half to lead 20-7 with 8:09 left in the fourth quarter. Mason County put together an exciting rally. The Royals scored with 5:28 to play to make it 20-14. Mason County recovered the ensuing kickoff and scored three plays later to tie the game. The Royals were getting ready to snap the ball for the PAT when the cannon fired. The kick missed. Mason County's defense forced Sheldon Clark to go three and out. The Royals drove the ball to the Cardinals' 17 yard, but failed to convert on 4th and three. Sheldon Clark ran out the clock to force overtime. Mason County failed to score on its series, missing a 23 yard field goal attempt. Matt Slone scored the game winning touchdown from four yards out on the Cardinals' second play in overtime. Sheldon Clark dominated the time of possesion- 31:15 to 16:45. The Cardinals had 329 total yards (282 rushing and 47 passing). Mason County had 314 total yards. (152 rushing yards and Neal Pawsat completed 12-of-18 for 162 yards and two touchdowns). Mason County tailback Jeremy Thompson rushed for 95 yards and one touchdown. Sheldon Clark running back Ryan Kelly rushed for 125 yards and three touchdowns. Sheldon Clark (10-2) advances to the third round to play Belfry.
Mason County ends the season with a 9-3 record. Here is the scoring summary:

SC 1st Q 6:26 Ryan Kelly 6 yard run (run failed) SC 6, MC 0
MC 2nd Q 1:20 Josh Harris 14 yard pass from Neal Pawsat (Jessica Batey kick) MC 7, SC 6
SC 3rd Q 6:12 Ryan Kelly 5 yard run (run failed) SC 12, MC 7
SC 4th Q 8:09 Ryan Kelly 2 yard run (Dustin Meade pass from Austin Stepp) SC 20, MC 7
MC 4th Q 5:28 Terrence Breckenridge 13 yard pass from Neal Pawsat (Jessica Batey kick)
SC 20, MC 14
MC 4th Q 4:32 Jeremy Thompson 9 yard run (kick failed) SC 20, MC 20
SC OT Matt Slone 4 yard run SC 26, MC 20

Notes:

• Jeremy Thompson set the school record for total points in a season (196), tied the school record for total touchdowns in a season (32) and moved into third place on the Royals' career rushing yards list with 3,034 yards;
• Jessica Batey tied the school record for extra points in a season (45).