Darren Kinnard/River Radio Sports Central
JOHNSTON CITY — Dez Malone scored three second half touchdowns to help Sesser-Valier/Waltonville rally from a 16-point third quarter deficit to beat Johnston City 30-28 in overtime. With the win, the Red Devils broke the Indians’ 31-game Black Diamond Conference winning streak, clinching at least a share of the conference title in the process.
SVW can wrap up the title outright with a win at home against Flora in the regular season finale.
Johnston City controlled the first half, eating up 18:45 with two scoring drives, including a 21-play, 96-yard drive that took more than 12 minutes. Touchdowns from Ben Morgan and Keaton Fort, along with a pair of two-point conversions from Fort, gave the Indians a 16-0 halftime lead.
Malone and Fort traded touchdowns in the third, and then on the final play of the quarter, Malone broke free for a 57-yard TD run. The two-point conversion pulled the Red Devils within 22-14.
In the fourth quarter, after coming up with a fumble, SVW marched down the field with Malone taking it from seven yards out with 28.5 seconds to play to pull the Red Devils within 22-20. Colt Packer, who missed part of the final drive due to injury, came back and connected with Kyan Short in the back of the end zone to tie the game 22-22 and force overtime.
Packer scored on a 1-yard run on the opening possession of overtime, with Malone adding the two-point conversion for a 30-22 SVW lead, the Red Devils’ first lead of the night.
The Indians scored on their first play, as Evan Sanders bulled his way in from ten yards out to pull Johnston City within 30-28. The Red Devils’ defense held on the two-point conversion, setting off a mad celebration on the visitors’ side.
SVW improves to 8-0, while Johnston City falls to 7-1. The Indians will close out the regular season at 7-1 Carmi-White County.
