East Limestone running back Jordan Gardner looks for running room against Lawrence County in Friday night's game. Gardner had 148 rushing yards and a touchdown in the Indians' 20-13 win.

In a game full of missed opportunities, the East Limestone defense made sure the Indians didn’t let Friday night’s Class 5A, Region 8 game against Lawrence County slip away.

After a 14-0 lead had been cut to one point partially due to East Limestone mistakes and inability to convert on fourth-and-goal, the Indians scored a touchdown early in the fourth quarter to give themselves some breathing room, and the East defense did the rest, holding Lawrence County scoreless in the fourth quarter to take a 20-13 victory.

“We had opportunities in the first half to get the game over with and didn’t do it,” East Limestone coach Jeff Pugh said. “We should have been in more control of the game because we got down in the goal line twice, and both times had fourth and short and didn’t get it.”

The win puts East Limestone at 5-1 overall and 4-0 in Class 5A, Region 8 play. The Indians clinched a playoff spot with the win and can secure a first-round home playoff game with a win over Ardmore next Thursday.

East began the game on fire, scoring twice in the first four minutes of the game. A long kickoff return put East in scoring position and Jordan Gardner cashed it in with a 1-yard touchdown run just 22 seconds into the game.

East scored against on its next possession, as Jed Sutherland scored on a 31-yard run that put the Indians up 14-0 after Syrus James’ extra point.

East Limestone had several chances to put the game away in the first half, getting inside Lawrence County’s 10-yard line three times, but coming away with no points any of those times.

The first two times, East had fourth down at the goal line and were stuffed. The third time was even more disastrous. On third down and time running out in the second quarter, Lawrence County’s Allen Johnson intercepted a pass and returned it 99 yards for a touchdown as time expired in the first half.

What would have been a 17-0 lead at worst for East Limestone was cut to just a 14-7 advantage.

“We gave away some points there right at the end of the half and gave them so momentum,” Pugh said. “That was not a good locker room at halftime.”

Lawrence County cut the lead to one point

Lawrence County’s offense finally got in the end zone late in the third quarter on a 27-yard touchdown pass from Brody Sparks to Garrett Lee. Critically though, the extra point attempt failed, which kept East on top by a point.

East Limestone’s offense finally got going again, and added to its lead when Kollin Swart scored on a 9-yard run early in the fourth quarter.

That was all the Indians needed, as East Limestone’s defense held Lawrence County scoreless in the fourth quarter to seal the victory.

The key to the win was the East defense shutting down Sparks. The Red Devils quarterback completed just 12 of 32 passes for 189 yards and two interceptions. Lawrence County rushed for only 87 yards on 26 attempts.

“Our defense did a really good job because they shut down a really talented bunch,” Pugh said. “Their quarterback was probably one of the better ones we’ve seen and they have three or four quality receivers and a good running back. It was a hard scheme to prepare for, but our guys did a great job.”

East Limestone, on the other hand, rushed for 316 yards on 46 attempts. Gardner led the way with 148 yards on 23 carries. Swart rushed for 128 yards on 11 attempts.

“When you’ve got over 300 yards rushing, you’ve got to score more than 20 points,” Pugh said. “You’ve got to be able to put those points on the board. We’ve got to get to work this week and get better.”