Conway fans weren’t yelling “Boo!” in The Backyard late Friday night. They were shouting “Pooh!” – as in junior wide receiver Pooh Brantley, whose highlight-reel touchdown catch proved to be the game-winner in the Tigers’ 36-33 victory over Goose Creek in the first round of the Class 5A playoffs.
With Conway trailing in the game for the first time at 33-28 midway through the fourth quarter, quarterback Peyton Derrick aired one out to Brantley, who made a one-handed grab and sprinted into the end zone for the go-ahead score. He also caught the 2-point conversion, and the Conway defense did the rest to preserve the Tigers’ first playoff win since 2008.
Conway appeared headed to an easy victory after Derrick scored on a pair of TD runs and threw another to Juwon Moody for an early 21-7 lead. Deandre Huggins scored to give Conway a 28-7 edge, but the Gators scored in the final seconds to make it 28-14 at intermission.
Goose Creek caught fire in the second half behind two rushing TDs by Leandre Legree, the second of which put Goose Creek on top for the first time at 33-28. But the Tigers took the ensuing drive to midfield when Derrick hooked up with Brantley for his third passing TD of the game.
Conway, which has won four games in a row, advances to the second round to host Spring Valley next Friday.
– Photo by Chuck Silvey