You've probably heard that somewhat cynical reversal of that old sports bromide, “Snatching defeat from the jaws of victory.”

Cynical or not, that's pretty much the Cougars' story of the game in last Tuesday's eighth-grade football game at Breckinridge County as the Tigers scored with 43.8 seconds remaining to tie the game, then won it 12-6 in overtime.

Grayson County had broken open a 0-0 tie on the first play of the fourth quarter when Jade Pierce broke away on a 35-yard touchdown run. A try for two failed, but the Cougars led in a game that the defenses had been dominating.

The Tigers had the ball first and when the Cougars bottled them up in their own end of the field, they went for it on fourth down and failed at their own 20. That was a pattern that repeated throughout the first half as the Tigers evidently had no punting game.

Grayson County kept getting excellent field position as the Tigers went four-and-out on every first half possession. The Cougars, however, could do nothing with the great position as the Tiger defense would not allow them to move.

Grayson County nearly missed a golden opportunity in the third period after Cory Morris sacked Tiger quarterback Zach Storms on fourth down at the Tiger nine-yard line.

A holding call on first down moved the ball back to the 24. The Tigers then threw the Cougars for a loss at the 35-yard line just as the period ended.

On the first play of the fourth quarter, facing a third-and-goal at the 35, Pierce took a hand off and found an opening on the right side. As he hit the hole, he found no one in front of him and he took it all the way for the score. A fumbled snap killed any chance on the extra-point try, but the Cougars led 6-0 with 7:48 left to play in the game.

Grayson County's defense again forced the Tigers to give up the ball on fourth down at their own 33.

With the chance to put the game on ice, the Cougars moved the ball to the 29, but on fourth down fumbled the ball and Breck recovered at the 33 with 3:12 remaining to be played.

The Tigers began moving the ball on the ground, gaining a first down at the 44. A pass completion gave the Tigers a first down at the Cougar 44, the first time all night Breck had crossed the 50-yard line.

Three pass plays moved the ball to the 41, and the Tigers called their last time out with 51 seconds showing on the clock.

Back on the field, Storms dropped back and threw a perfect pass down the Tiger sideline, right into the waiting arms of receiver Evan Pollock, who took it into the end zone to tie things at 6-6.

The Cougars then stayed alive by stopping a Tiger running play just short of the goal line to send the game into overtime.

Grayson County had the ball first, with four plays from the 10-yard line to try to score. However, the Cougars started going the wrong direction immediately and wound up with a fourth down tackle for a loss at the 40.

The Tigers then took over, gaining six yards on first down, but being stopped for no gain on second down. But on third down, Storms handed the ball to fullback Jared Ashley, who followed his surging line into the end zone to end the game.

The middle school Cougars will be back in action this coming Tuesday, August 28 when they will host Ohio County at Cougar field beginning at 5:30 p.m.