The Mustangs led Gilmour Academy at the half, 13-12, but then lost, 38-13.

By JIM FLICK

VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT

GATES MILLS — Despite holding a narrow halftime lead, Mathews’ season ended Saturday when Gilmour Academy scored four unanswered touchdowns in the second half to defeat the Mustangs, 38-13, in a Division V regional quarterfinal.

Mathews (10-1) scored two touchdowns in the second quarter to take a 13-12 lead into the locker room. But the Mustangs’ efforts were hampered by two lost fumbles.

The loss “doesn’t take away from our efforts today,” Mathews coach Jim Parry said. “I think we played like champions today.

“The season has been a long journey. I’m not going to let two turnovers shake my faith in this team,” Parry added. “The bottom line is Gilmour is a good team and played well in the second half.”

Mathews almost scored on its first possession. After receiving the kickoff, the Mustangs ran the ball down the field before losing their first fumble inside the 10-yard line.

After a scoreless first quarter, Gilmour Academy (9-1) struck first when Tom Hallal, the Lancers’ featured running back, scored on a 10-yard dash into the end zone. However, Gilmour Academy’s attempt at a two-point conversion failed, which soon proved to be a trend. When the day was done, only one of the Lancers’ six extra-point attempts succeeded.

Mathews responded and tied the score when junior running back Brent Jackson dashed 38 yards into the end zone. An extra point kick failed, leaving the score tied 6-6.

But Mathews soon took the lead when quarterback Lucas Buckner connected with running back Brad Hughes on a 72-yard pass play. Hugh hauled in the pass at midfield and fought through tacklers on his way to the end zone. The pass was Buckner’s only completion of the day.

Jake Klinger kicked an extra point, giving the Mustangs a 13-6 lead.

Gilmour Academy scored a second touchdown later in the second quarter, when Lou Cangelosi hauled down a 31-yard pass from quarterback Billy Urban. But a run for an extra point conversion failed, leaving Mathews in the lead 13-12.

With only five seconds remaining in the half, Mathews tried to boost its lead by kicking a 40-yard field goal, but the ball fell short.

In the second half, Gilmour Academy took the lead for good when Hallal scored on a 9-yard run. The lead swelled to 20-13 when the Lancers scored their only extra point conversion when Cangelosi caught the conversion pass.

A Mathews drive was stopped by the team’s second lost fumble early in the third quarter.

Gilmour Academy scored two more touchdowns in the third quarter, one on Hallal’s 14-yard sprint into the end zone and another when Cangelosi snagged a 16-yard pass. The Lancers led 32-13 after three quarters.

The Lancers’ Ryan Teknipp put the final points on the board in the fourth quarter when he scored on a 28-yard run to put the final tally at 38-13.