Cloudland dried up the Oakdale offense in the second half Friday night.
The ‘Landers erased a halftime deficit to take a 38-28 victory in the opening round of the Class A playoffs at Orr Field.
Cloudland outscored the Eagles 22-6 in the second half.
The ‘Lander defense came up big on the opening drive of the game by stopping the Eagles inside the Cloudland 5 on fourth down, but a CHS fumble two plays later gave Oakdale the ball back.
The Eagles took advantage as Elisha Davis scored on a short run. Cloudland, however, answered quickly as Gage McKinney broke free on the next play from scrimmage as the senior running back raced 63 yards for the touchdown and also added the two-point conversion.
Oakdale regained a 14-8 lead after a quarter of play as Davis found Joseph Summers for a 59-yard passing touchdown, and OHS added the two-point conversion.
The teams traded possessions to end the quarter.
Cloudland jumped back in front early in the second as McKinney scored on a four-yard run to cap an 11-play 64-yard drive.
Oakdale answered with an 11-play drive of their own as Aaron Dunlap found the end zone from a yard out.
The two-point conversion sent Oakdale to the half with a 22-16 lead.
Cloudland took control in the third quarter.
The ‘Landers used 10 plays to open the half to score on a short McKinney run. Kyle Birchfield added the two-point conversion.
Oakdale looked poised to strike as a big kick return set them up inside the Cloudland 20. However, the ‘Lander defense set strong as Silas Burleson and Birchfield sacked Davis on fourth down to stop the scoring threat.
Cloudland used another lengthy scoring drive – this one 12 plays – to methodically move down the field and get in the end zone with a short McKinney run.
The CHS defense came up big once again as Tanner Blevins intercepted a pass to end the quarter as Cloudland maintained a 32-22 lead after three complete quarters.
In the fourth, the teams traded possessions to open the frame, before McKinney scored on a 13-yard run.
Oakdale battled back with a late score, but any thought of a comeback was erased when illegal touching was called on the onside kick giving CHS the ball at the Oakdale 49.
McKinney continued to have an outstanding season as he had 372 yards on 58 carries. Birchfield added 18 yards for Cloudland – who only attempted two passes all night.
Davis recorded 169 yards passing on 11-of-21, while Dunlap tallied 51 rushing yards.
With the win, Cloudland advances to take on Oliver Springs in second round action. That game will be held at Orr Field.
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