Pieper edges Judson 43-42 behind backup quarterback Lance Reid

Lance Reid wasn't expecting to see heavy action in Friday's game at Judson. But he walked off the field at Rutledge Stadium as a hero, unexpectedly guiding Pieper to a 43-42 district win.

The junior quarterback launched a long touchdown pass to junior wide receiver Carson LaCombe with 1:28 left to play. The Warriors lined up for the following two-point conversion, where Reid found LaCombe in the end zone again to take the one-point lead.

"It was definitely intense coming out here," Reid said. "... We expected it and we knew we were going to get it and come out on top." 

Reid's lone touchdown pass of the night capped off a 22-point fourth quarter for Pieper (3-3 overall, 2-1 in District 27-6A) that was just enough to get it past Judson (2-3, 2-1) for a district win that keeps the Warriors alive in the playoff race.  Pieper sophomore running back Wade Springer also ran for two scores in the fourth quarter. 

While Friday's game was the most play time Reid has gotten all year, his ability to deliver when his number was called was no surprise to his teammates.

"He practices hard even though he's not the main guy right now," LaCombe said. "He stepped in and did what he had to do." 

Pieper starting quarterback Chase Lyons was one of 10 Pieper players injured Friday, and Reid was immediately thrust into Lyons' role in the second quarter.

Although he didn't have his usual starter at the helm, Pieper head coach Eddie Salas said the choice to go for two was "not a hard decision" since the Warriors were already playing shorthanded. 

"We believe in our kids, number one, that we can score on offense and our kids wanted it," Salas said. "Our coaches wanted to do it, and we went for it. And we're glad we did." 

Salas also cited the belief he has in Reid to step in when he's needed.

"He's so smart in practice," Salas said. "He shows us what he did today all the time. Coming in, we had a lot of faith in him." 

Pieper senior running back Jack Trevino got the Warriors on the board in the first quarter when he returned a punt for a touchdown.

The momentum did not last.

Judson senior running back Kayden Graham rushed for four touchdowns in the first half to put the Rockets ahead. 

Pieper junior running back Carson Echt rushed for a 4-yard score in the first quarter and Lyons threw a touchdown to Trevino in the second quarter before he was removed due to an injury. 

"We had a lot of guys go down so it was really important for us to not give up because it looked bad at halftime," LaCombe said. 

Pieper hosts East Central next Friday night, while Judson is set to play on the road at Steele next week.

"As long as we keep pushing," LaCombe said. "It's all going to work out for us." 

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This article originally published at Pieper edges Judson 43-42 behind backup quarterback Lance Reid.