Strayhorn jumped out to a two touchdown lead, lost it just before the half and the Mustangs were down 10-points midway in the fourth quarter.
But the Mustangs came back with just minutes to go and earned a ticket to the playoff with a 32-28 win over the Bruce Trojans.
“This team has learned to never give up,” said Strayhorn coach Mike Bradley. “They stayed with it and did what it takes to win the game you had to win.
“The backs ran hard, the line blocked, defense played hard and we made plays,” said Bradley. “I am so proud of them.
The win sends Strayhorn to the first round of the MHSAA Playoffs with Hamilton Friday night.
Mustang running back Noah Johnson scored two touchdowns in the first quarter to give Strayhorn a 12-8 lead.
Bruce scored again and carried a 14-12 edge into the lockeroom.
The Trojans came back out on the field and scored again in the third.
And down 22-12 things got interesting for the Mustangs.
Johnson scored again early in the fourth and backed it up with another one with 4:14 to go and Strayhorn trailing 28-24.
The Mustang defense held Bruce to four-and-out in a critical series of downs.
The Strayhorn offense took over at their own 46 and ran a hook-and-ladder that saw the quarterback hit a receiver short, who then pitched the ball to Johnson, who raced 54-yards for the score with 1:53 to go.
Strayhorn’s defense then sacked Bruce’s quarterback three time on the last three plays.
The game saw Strayhorn coach Mike Bradley barred from the game at the half after arguing with the referees.
“I want to apologize to my players and everybody else for that,” said Bradley. “I put our team in a bind. “I asked them at halftime to bail me out,” said a humbled Bradley. “They did and I will never forget this win.”
And Mustang fans and players won’t either.
