Chandler put on a strong second-half comeback Friday, but fell 30-21 to Class 4A Poteau.
Poteau, ranked No. 6 in 4A this week by MaxPreps, bolted to a 30-7 lead, but Chandler dominated the second half and had the chance to cut the lead to a field goal or less in the final three minutes.
The loss puts the Lions at 2-1 going into Friday night’s district opener at Kellyville.
Poteau got out to a 14-0 lead in the second quarter, but Chandler answered midway through the quarter. Quarterback Alec Johnson rolled to his right and toss a short pass to Brayden Nation who sprinted 55 yards down the north sideline before being tackled at the five.
Ty Garver bulled his way across the goal line on the next play and Landon Miller kicked the point-after to make it 14-7 with 7:11 to go before the half.
Poteau came back with a safety and two touchdowns to go up 30-7 just after halftime.
The Lions started their comeback at that point.
Trevor Sutton caused a Poteau fumble, which Blake Rickner recovered, giving Chandler the ball at the Poteau 17-yard-line.
The Lions wasted no time, with Jackson running for a touchdown on the next play.
Jackson ran for another touchdown on a two-yard sneak just before the end of the period to make it 3021.
Although that ended up the final score, the game was in question until the Pirates’ Wyatt Gamble intercepted a pass at the Poteau 5 with 2:56 to play.
The Pirates were able to run out the clock to secure the win.
On Friday, the Lions will face a Kellyville team coming off back-to-back wins over Morris and Mounds.
It will be the district opener for both teams. Crossings Christian emerged from non-district playwith a 3-0 record, while Chandler, Bethel and Kellyville are 2-1. Luther is 1-2. Star Spencer is 0-2 and Meeker and Jones are 0-3.