ENNIS - The Ennis Lions (6-1, 4-0) didn't follow the usual script in scheduling a cupcake for homecoming as they did battle with the Tyler John Tyler Lions (5-2, 3-1) in a key District 16-5A contest and EHS came out on top with a thrilling 30-27 win as Brandon Martinek booted a 20 yard field goal with six seconds remaining to break a 27-27 tie.

The winning score was set up by a key play from the Ennis defense, as on a 3rd and long play with little more than a minute left John Tyler QB Geovari McCollister was sacked and fumbled and Ennis DE James Lockhart would pounce on the loose ball setting EHS up at the John Tyler 19. Ennis moved the ball to the three and on fourth and goal Martinek came in and kicked the winning field goal.

It was a back and forth contest throughout between two evenly matched state powers, both ranked among the top dozen or so teams in 5A. Ennis RB Tre Elliot would open the scoring with a 35 yard touchdown run in the first quarter to put the maroon clad Lions up 7-0. John Tyler would respond with 14 straight points to take a seven point edge at 14-7 after one quarter. RB Jeremy Wilson cashed in on both touchdowns, one from 18 yards out and the other from two yards out. Wilson's second scoring run was set up after Ennis muffed a John Tyler punt at their own 13 yard line.

Ennis would tie the game at 14 late in the first half as Taylor Thompson scored from 30 yards out, Thompson would lead all offensive performers with 167 yards rushing and 51 yards receiving and two touchdowns on the night.

Ennis would take a 21-14 lead with seven minutes left in the third quarter on a one yard run from QB Devin Smith. After an exchange of punts, CUJO would cut the lead to just one point as Wilson notched his third touchdown of the night from a yard out, the snap on the PAT was botched and Ennis held a precarious 21-20 advantage after three quarters.

On the fourth play of the final quarter Ennis would extend the lead back to a touchdown as on 3rd and 1, Smith hooked up with Thompson for a 40 yard touchdown pass making it 27-20 as Ennis' PAT try failed. The teams would exchange punts before John Tyler would answer with the tying score as McCollister hooked up with Damion Miller for a 43 yard touchdown and with the PAT we were again tied at 27. Ennis would move the ball near midfield on their next drive before having to punt and setting up John Tyler for the fateful drive where the key turnover happened.

Ennis is now in prime position for not only a potential district title, but also the top playoff seed in Division II, while John Tyler despite the loss looks like the clear number one seed in Division I come playoff time.