Brainerd's Demonte Pickett threw for two touchdown and ran for the winning two-point conversion in overtime as the visiting Panthers rallied to edge East Ridge, 29-28, in a AA District 6 football game Friday night.
East Ridge led 21-7 with 4:12 remaining in the fourth quarter, before Brainerd scored twice to tie the game at 21-21 and force overtime.
In the extra period, East Ridge quarterback JoJo Tillery scored from the 3 yard line followed by the extra point by Gray Smith for a 28-21 lead.
Pickett then found Kaylen Stewart in the end zone to trail by one and when he ran for the winning 2-point conversion his Panther teammates stormed the field in celebration as Brainerd had its first win of the season (1-4, 1-1), while East Ridge is 2-3 overall and 1-1 in district play.
"When East Ridge scored the touchdown and the extra point I decided we would go for two and the win on our possession," said Brained coach Brian Gwyn.
"Demonte has done everything we have asked of him this fall as he had made every practice and all the weight training sessions and his hard work is paying off."
First Half: East Ridge led 6-0 at halftime after Smith made a field goal in each of the first two quarters.
Brainerd then took its first lead of the game at 7-6 at 1:30 remaining in the third quarter on a 5-yard run by Tayvon Nelson and then the PAT by Terrance Noble.
The Pioneers scored twice in the first four minutes of the fourth as Tillery (32 yards) and Deangelo Johnson (4 yards) reached the Brainerd end zone for a 21-7 advantage.
Not to be out done, the Panthers' scored off a blocked punt at the 4:12 mark, followed by a Picket to Ryheem Findley 5-yard scoring toss with 12 seconds remaining in regulation to trail by two at 21-19.
Pickett then found Brian Montgomery in the left flat for the game-tying, 2-point conversion.
On the final Brainerd drive in regulation, East Ridge was called for three pass interference penalties and another one on an incomplete pass when Branerd went for two.
"We didn't block and tackle and execute correctly and that shows we as coaches did not prepare our guys for this game during the week," said East Ridge coach Tracy Malone.
"And you can't have over 100 yards in personal foul and pass interference penalties and expect to win."
Brainerd 29, East Ridge 28 OT
Brainerd 0 - 0 - 7 - 14 - 8 -- 29
East Ridge 3 - 3 - 0 - 15 - 7 -- 28
contact B.B. Branton at william.branton@comcast.net