Commerce scores late to beat rival Afton
The Joplin Globe

AFTON, Okla. - Commerce punched across the winning touchdown with 18 seconds remaining to trip Afton 21-18 in an Oklahoma District A7 game Friday night.

James Sullivan scored on a 1-yard burst to cap the final Commerce drive.

Afton was leading 18-14 and working the clock late in the game.

"We had a first down and the play was called back by a holding call," said Afton coach Jerry Springer. "Shea (Henry) broke one across the 50 on third-and-short."

The Eagles, pushed back 10 yards, wound up punting and Commerce was quick to capitalize. A good punt return set up a winning drive of about 35 yards, Springer said.

"It's a shame somebody has to lose a game like this," Springer said. "I'm proud of our kids, how hard they played."

Henry, who finished with 37 carries for 163 yards according to Afton statistics, scored all three touchdowns for the Eagles. He had a 26-yard run in the first quarter, then 3- and 6-yard bursts in the third period.

Conversions were the difference in the game. Afton missed a kick, misfired on a pass and then fumbled a snap on its three attempts. Senior Joe Beckwith converted each time for Commerce.

Lineman Anthony Inman scored the first touchdown for the Tigers (3-2 overall, 2-0 district) when he recovered a blocked punt in the end zone in the first quarter.

Beckwith caught an 18-yard touchdown pass from James Sullivan in the second quarter.

Afton fell to 2-3, 0-1 with the loss.