The Keith High School Bears (6-4) forced a turnover on downs on their own 20-yard line with less than a minute left on the clock to hold off the Central Hayneville Lions and win their final game of the regular season 30-26.

The teams traded blows back and forth all night, but a 167-yard and two touchdown performance by running back Lidell Jackson Jr. helped seal the victory for the Bears.

“We went ground and pound, and that’s how we played most of the night,” Keith head coach Harry Crum said. “Central Hayneville had some very good skill position athletes, but our guys were resilient and we were able to come back.”

Keith receiver scored the first touchdown of the game, but the Lions quickly answered with a score of their own.

On the following kickoff, Jeashan Black returned the kick 90 yards for a touchdown and the lead.

Quarterback Jared Edwards converted the two-point attempt with a pass to Anthony Lumpkin to make the score 16-8.

The teams continued to trade scores, but the Lions failed to convert a two-point conversion on their final score which only gave them a 26-24 lead.

Jackson scored the go-ahead touchdown with less than three minutes left in the game.

The two-point conversion failed, but the defense was able to hold the 30-26 lead.

The Bears defense forced two interceptions in the game to keep the Lions offense in check. Both Trashaud Jackson and Marvin Brooks caught interceptions that stopped the Lions pass-happy attack.

The Bears will go on the road for the first round of the playoffs next Friday to face the Abbeville Yellow Jackets.

Selma at Stanhope Elmore

The Selma High Saints (4-6) were unable to get the win on the road, and lost 36-22 to the Stanhope Elmore Mustangs (5-5) on Friday Night.

Three different Saints made it to the end zone in the game.

Allen King and Rondarius Sanders both scored rushing touchdowns, and Tyreshon Freeman threw a touchdown pass to Jakobe Robinson as well.

The Saints didn’t make the playoffs this season, but finished three wins better than their 2016 record of 1-9.