Cactus High’s furious comeback came up just short Friday night, as the Cobras fell to Mesquite, 28-27.
The semifinal playoff loss ended the season for Cactus High.
Cactus took a 7-6 lead into the third quarter, thanks to quarterback Connor Cordts’ 15-yard touchdown run with 2 minutes left in the first half.
Mesquite took a 12-6 lead with a touchdown midway into the third quarter, only to have Nicc Quinones take the lead right back for Cactus, with an 85-yard kickoff return.
Mesquite scored again, taking a 20-13 lead into what would turn out to be a wild fourth quarter.
Anthony Flores’ 10-yard scoring run and a two-point conversion gave the Cobras a 21-20 lead with five minutes to play.
With two minutes left, Mesquite quarterback Ty Thompson tossed a touchdown pass and followed it with a two-point conversion, putting his team ahead 28-20.
After the kickoff, Cactus took over near midfield. Cordts cooly led the team downfield. As the clock ticked down, Flores came through again, this time racing into the endzone on a nine-yard TD.
Rather than kicking for a tie, Cactus played for a win — but Mesquite stopped the two-point try.
