After trailing on the road for most of the game, the Hixson football team found some magic when it mattered most.
As a result, the Wildcats came away with a 17-14 win Friday night at East Ridge in a Region 3-4A showdown between two teams bound for the TSSAA playoffs that kick off next week.
With time slipping away and the visitors trailing 14-10, the Hixson defense forced a fumble by Pioneers quarterback Jermaine Blackstock, and senior defensive lineman Chase Packer grabbed the loose ball and rumbled 16 yards for the winning score.
"In those situations, we always say just stay calm and stay into yourself for the team," Packer said of the first score of his career. "So when I saw that ball, I just stayed calm and knew I didn't have to just fall on it. I saw there was open field, and I knew this was my touchdown."
(READ MORE: Final scores and photos from Friday night's Chattanooga-area prep football games)
One of the few people not surprised by Packer's heroics was Nick Rivers, the Wildcats' first-year head coach.
"He's one of our guys that has been playing since he was a freshman," Rivers said. "If anybody could do it, I'm pretty sure he is the guy that could pick that up for a scoop and score. He also likes to tell people how he plays basketball as well."
Both teams struggled to score in the first half, but the Pioneers (4-6, 3-3) came alive on offense in the second quarter after a good punt return to drive 32 yards on three plays and open the scoring with a 10-yard run by Marquell Sails. The home team's lead remained 6-0 when the 2-point attempt failed.
Hixson (7-3, 5-1) found its footing on offense late in the half, putting together a eight-play drive capped by a 33-yard field goal by Isaac Smith to pull within 6-3 at halftime.
East Ridge extended the lead to 14-3 on its first possession of the second half with a 13-yard touchdown pass from Blackstock to Javonte Pullom, but Blackstock threw a costly interception on the next possession to set up the Wildcats' wild rally.
"We've been preaching the whole season about keeping playing through adversity," River said. "When you have something happen that's not good, line up, play the next play and keep going."
The Wildcats' running game came alive, and they made it a one-score game after a 6-yard touchdown run by Tariq Reese, setting up Packer for the decisive touchdown with 5:08 remaining.
East Ridge had a chance to reclaim the lead late, but on fourth down Hixson broke up a pass intended for Hasani Jackson in the end zone.
The loss for East Ridge came even as Sails had an amazing game, finishing with 127 yards on 21 carries and the first-half touchdown.
"Marquell Sails is a warrior," Pioneers coach Chad Barger said of his senior tailcack. "He's had two knee surgeries and a shoulder surgery in high school. I can't say enough good things about him. He's got such a good attitude and is such a good kid."
Both Hixson and East Ridge now turn to the playoffs. Barger said his team will have to shake off Friday's loss quickly as the Pioneers prepare for the postseason.
"I told them we're going to hurt for 24 hours," he said. "But just for 24 hours and then it's over, because we've got something to do after that."
For Hixson, the rally provides a boost at the perfect time.
"I think this gives us some momentum as we go into practice on Monday," Rivers said. "We'll find out who we play, then we will watch some film on Sunday and just go from there."
Contact Jim Tanner at sports@timesfreepress.com.