Wylie East senior quarterback Jaiden McLemore, pictured in previous action, threw the game-winning touchdown pass to junior Amir Porter as time expired to lift the Raiders to a 16-14 come-from-behind win over Rowlett at Homer B. Johnson Stadium on Thursday. Photo by Oladipo Awowale / C&S Media
By Art Stricklin
GARLAND – Wylie East kept its unbeaten season and lead in District 9-6A alive in the most dramatic way possible, rallying from a late 14-0 deficit and scoring as time expired on a 15-yard touchdown pass from senior quarterback Jaiden McLemore to junior wide receiver Amir Porter to defeat Rowlett 16-14 at Homer B. Johnson stadium Thursday night.
Things looked bleak for the Raiders (8-0 overall, 6-0 District 9-6A).
Down 14-0 to Rowlett (4-4, 4-2) with 3:42 left in the fourth quarter, and bleaker still when they tailed 14-10 and failed to recover the ensuing on-sides kick, Wylie East found a way.
The biggest play of the game occurred was a blocked field goal by Wylie East senior Carter Dotson. Rowlett had a chance to go up 17-0 but Dotson’s block kept it a two-score game and Wylie East returned the ball to near midfield.
After stopping Rowlett and getting the ball back with 49 seconds left and 70 yards away from the end zone, Wylie East proved to have just enough time. McLemore found Porter in the right corner of the end zone for the score as time expired to lift the Raiders to an improbable win.
Wylie East can clinch its first outright district title since 2022 with a win over Garland next Friday.
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