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Chandler running back Casmen Hill breaks into the clear for part of his 210 yards on the night. Photo/Brian Blansett
Marlow scored twice in the third quarter and held Chandler on a crucial fourth down with three minutes left in the game, emerging with a 31-28 win Friday night.
With the win, Marlow advanced to the state quarterfinals against defending state champion Metro Christian.
Chandler ended its season with a 9-4 record that included a second-place finish in on the state’s toughest districts and two playoff wins.
Against Marlow, the game was marked by big plays and momentum swings.
Marlow took a 17-14 halftime lead, with 10 of the points coming as a result of turnosvers.
The first came in the middle of the first quarter on a scoop-and-score fumble return for a touchdown.
Chandler tied the game moments later when quarterback Kaden Jones ran nine yards to scored with 3:19 left in the first period.
The Lions took a 14-7 lead midway through the second quarter when Casmen Hill ran in from 27 yards out to cap a 98-yard drive.
Marlow tied it a little more than three minutes later and took a 17-14 haltime lead on a 27-yard field goal following an interception.
Chandler went up 21- 17 after Zion Ward recovered a Marlow fumble on the kickoff to start the third quarter.
The touchdown came on a 20-yard run by Hill with just over a minute gone in the half. Marlow countered
Marlow countered with two scores later in the quarter, taking a 31- 21 lead into the final period.
The Lions threatened early in the fourth, but were stopped on a fourthand-goal at the Chandler 2-yard line with just more than 10 minutes to play. They came back later to
They came back later to score on a scoring pass to Darian Mahan on fourthand-four play with 5:01 remaining.
Konnor Almand kicked the extra point to make it 31-28 and then recovered his own on-side, giving Chandler the ball on its own 48-yard line with five minutes to play.
The Lions weren’t able to sustain possession. Marlow took over on downs and ran out the clock.