Lone Star vs Wakeland '24 - The Greatest Game Ever Played?

It was the last regular season home game of the season for Wakeland High School and we headed to "The Star" for a total mismatch on paper - # 2 Lone Star brought their unbeaten record and a gaudy 9-1 mark vs. Wakland in their previous 10 match-ups, including a heartbreaking loss last season in the final seconds.  But they don't play the sport on paper, the game was bonkers from the jump and closed with the most improbable ending you'll ever see...

Wakeland was game from kickoff and led until Lone Star snuck ahead with 40 seconds left in the 4th quarter.  Wakeland would calmly drive the field where their steady-nerved kicker would drill a 43-yard FG to send the game to OT!  Wakeland would get denied during the extra quarter in the form of a goal-line stand but shocked the exhausted crowd by stealing the win from the jaws of defeat with a 100-yard fumble return to seal the deal...       

This was a "kitchen sink" game which included 1,133 combined offensive yards, 17 TDs, 124 combined points, a successful onside kick, WR option pass TD, blocked punt, Safety, 2-point conversion, walk-off 43-yard FG, 2 goal-line stands, and 100-yard fumble return for a TD to win this 65-59 OT slobber-knocker!  Dad is on record stating that this was the greatest game he had ever witnessed at any level - and he's watched a lot of football!

 

Pandamonium erupts on the electric Wakeland sideline seconds after the improbable fumble return TD to win the game - the atmosphere in the Star was unmatched from pillar to post during the game!  

Players celebrate!

Continued celebration!

The icing on the cake - since it was Senior Night, the award-winning Wakeland Band performed their full set just minutes after the improbable victory.  It was a true celebration of what might be the greatest win in Wakeland Football history!

Taylor doing her thing while the Football Team, Cheerleaders, Legacy Line, and Wakeland fans lined the field and cheered - a great showing of camaraderie!

The Wakeland Band is no slouch either, claiming 3rd place in the Texas 5A UIL Championships in 2023 - they return to San Antonio in early November for the 2024 Championships!