The MacArthur Highlanders Are Headed to the Finals!

It was one incredible night, one unbelievable game to be remembered and talked about for years to come and a game where you really couldn't put into words to properly describe with all what had transpired that night with all the up's and downs from one of the most thrilling and exciting games I have ever been a part of. But when it was all said and done you couldn't help to want to look back and take a peek one more time to glance back at the scoreboard which showed MacArthur 50-49 over McAlister in a overtime thriller and a trip to the STATE FINALS this Saturday and the continued quest for the elusive gold ball that has escaped the Mighty Highlanders and most recently back in 2011.

The Highlanders were again playing in their second back to back year semi-final appearance against the same foe from last year at the same location of Choctaw. the MacArthur Highlander fans came and filled up the home side to enjoy a back and forth up and sit back down again kind of game and this time with all of the tough matchups Big Mad had seen this year were now going to be in their biggest fight of their lives. McAlister won the coin toss to begin the game and deferred to the second half which gave the Highlanders a quick start and a screen pass from quarterback Will Collins to Lorenzo West and a 61 yard touchdown score and a early six point lead. McAlester answered and regained the lead to make it  7-6 with 7 minutes left in the first. The Buffaloes responded on their own with two more scores and it looked like it may be  a set up of Deja Vu 2 from last year going up 21-6 but with just 42 seconds left before the half quarterback Will Collins found Jacques Henderson for a score and a 21-14 halftime battle. The ever so see sawing back and forth third quarter came with a 28-21 game to soon have McAlester extend the lead again this time 34-21 midway through the 3rd. Back to Back Mac scores from Lorenzo West and Jace Cummings found the first Big Mac lead since the opening first quarter 35-34 but is soon disappeared and dissolved as McAlester scored a touchdown and a field goal to now have a 43-35 lead. Then this never say die senior group had to take the motto of the year seriously and Rise Up and getting the ball with less than a minute found a score to "Quez" for his second score and a Will Collins two point conversion which tied the game with only 29 left in regulation all tied up at 43-43.

Big Mac won the coin toss and elected to be on defense first but on the first play on the 10 yard line quarterback Dalton Wood goes untouched into the end zone for 6 but this is where the stars line up for Big Mac as Walter Neil came fast around the edge to block the extra point and a excited Mac crowd and all there was left to do was Macarthur needed to score and kick the extra point. Easier said than done against this group and with a 4th down and goal on the 7 quarterback Will Collins once again found his favorite target Lorenzo West under double coverage and the tying touch down add the Jimmy Denning extra point to seal the victory 50-49 And a celebration that filled the field in gold. Hollywood couldn't script it any better with Collins completing 30 of 37 for 289 yards and 6 touchdowns. "We are not satisfied yet" coach Brett Manning told his team in the locker room. One more goal has yet to be accomplished and that is holding up the Gold Ball next Saturday as Big Mac looks to "Rise Up" one more time as they take on Skiatook in the finals in Yukon. We will once again be bringing the excitement live with the broadcast. We hope you will be following the fun along the way. GO BIG MAC. TAKE STATE! and bring the first championship to the east side up on the Hill.