In one of the most dramatic and exciting finishes at storied Conger Field, Purcell came from behind to nip district arch rival Lindsay 35-34 last Friday night.

With 4:17 to play Purcell had a one point lead and the ball when disaster struck.

Lindsay picked up a Dragon fumble for a scoop and score giving the Leopards a 34-29 lead with about four minutes remaining.

After the ensuing kick, Purcell faced 66 yards of real estate. The drive sputtered at first with one negative play and one play for no gain.

“We thought we had time,” head coach Aaron Dillard said.

Dillard said the playbook was wide open and the Dragons took advantage .

Kash Guthumeller zipped a pass to Oscar Wren who finished the hook and lateral play to Boston Knowles who picked up the first down on third and long.

“That was a huge play in the game,” Dillard confirmed. “It really got us going to continue the drive.”

During the 14-play drive the Dragons converted a couple of fourth and short situations. During a measurement on the second one Dillard called two plays in the huddle so they could go on tempo.

“The first one was a dive followed by a quick pass,” Dillard said.

A clutch catch down the seam by Carter Bennett on a pass from Guthmueller got the ball down to the one.

“That was an incredible reception and clutch,” Dillard said. “Big time play.”

Purcell burned its last time out and then Ryker Fink barrelled into the end zone over the crushing block by right guard Derek Cravens.

“We rushed for over 400 yards and any time you do that your offensive line played a huge role,” Dillard said.

He was praising the play of Brody Holder, Brian Bernal, Cravens, Gunnar Baker and Landry Bacon.

Guthmueller rushed the ball 19 times for 275 yards and three touchdowns.

He scored on runs of 78, 69 and 21 yards.

Guthmueller’s performance was the third highest single game rushing yards ever by a Dragon, trailing only Gerald Green’s 295 versus Antlers in 1974 and Green’s 285 yards against Mustang that same year.

Guthmueller’s total was the best ever for a Purcell quarterback.

Knowles carried the mail 25 times for 125 yards including a 17-yard touchdown jaunt while Fink had seven carries for 30 yards including the game-winner.

“Ryker came up big for us in short yardage situations,” Dillard said.

Fink crashed in a pair of two-point conversions along the way.

When Fink found the end zone there were just nine seconds remaining in the contest and there was pandemonium in the stands and on the Purcell sideline.

“It was pretty exciting,” a stoic Dillard said.

So effective was the Purcell run game that during the third quarter they put together a 9:09 minute18-play touchdown drive.

Purcell was in position to win due to their defensive effort. The Dragons played well defensively only giving up 28 points and just 50 yards on the ground.

Knowles led the defense with 12 tackles and had a big pass breakup from his weak safety position.

“Our inside linebackers played well,” the coach said referring to Fink and Christian Kirk.

They finished with nine tackles each.

Purcell had outstanding defensive line play out of Tavian Engert, Jonathan Minor, Brody Holder, Derek Cravens and Landry Bacon.

“To their (Lindsay) credit they had some explosive plays throwing to their talented receiver Manuel Aguero. He kept them in the game,” Dillard said.

Up next is a trip to Frederick. Kickoff Friday night at the Bomber Bowl is set for 7 p.m.

“Frederick is pretty multiple on offense,” Dillard reports. “They run a lot of I-formation trying to run down hill with some spread sets.

“They are very multiple on defense with odd stacks. They do a lot of blitzing with guys coming from unusual places that you don’t see at the high school level.”

Dillard said the key for a Dragons’ victory is stopping Frederick’s rushing attack.

“They have a big and fast tailback. If we can put a blanket on him it will help,” he said.

“Offensively we just have to handle their pressure. We have to take care of the football and up front get hats on guys and move the line of scrimmage,” he said.

Dragon notes:

Head coach Aaron Dillard nominated Carter Goldston at the Offensive Lineman of the Week. Goldston graded out at 75 percent against Lindsay.

Kash Guthmueller was nominated as the Offensive Player of the Week. He rushed for 275 and three touchdowns and threw for another 36 yards.

Boston Knowles got the nomination as Defensive Player of the Week for his 12 tackles and pass break up against Lindsay.

The Defensive Lineman of the Week nomination went to Brody Holder. He had six tackles last Friday night.