quinlanford

"The defense rose up and did a fantastic job all night," said Ford coach Billy Butler, who saw his team clinch a playoff berth. " We knew we had to limit their offense, especially (Bobby) Phifer, if we were going to win it. I can't say enough about the job they did, it just a great effort."

Quinlan's defense limited Commerce to 218 yards of total offense, all on the ground, and kept the Tigers scoreless until an 11-yard run by Phifer on the game's last snap. Phifer, who gained 87 yards on 13 carries, completed just 1-of-11 pass attempts for zero yards.

But Commerce didn't score from lack of opportunity as they forced four fumbles and drove inside the Ford ten twice only to come up empty.

"This was a very disappointing loss," said Commerce coach Terry Cron. " We had opportunities to score but untimely mistakes took us out. If we had scored when we had the chances early it might have made all of the difference."

The first of those missed chances came in the second quarter following the first Quinlan Ford miscue. Fowler had hit Josh Perez over the middle for what appeared to be a 22-yard touchdown. But Perez was stripped of the ball at the goalline and Donte Wade scooped up the loose ball and returned it all the way back to the Commerce 37.

Commerce had a first and goal at the Quinlan 3 on the ensuing drive but the Ford defense stiffened and Bart Bryant's 24-yard field goal attempt was no good.

The Quinlan defense was called upon again on the next Commerce drive, which started at the Panther 30 following a fumble recovered by Jesse Boyter. But Commerce managed just four yards on the possession and Quinlan took advantage.

Quinlan took advantage with an unusual 74-yard drive that culminated with the first trick of the night.

Eiland, who led all rushers with 203 yards on 30 carries, gave the Panthers a first down following a 10-yard run to the Commerce 34. But a personal foul penalty against Quinlan moved the ball back to the 49.

Eiland and the Panthers were unfazed as he hit quarterback Fowler on a 49-yard half back pass to give Quinlan the lead with just 1:57 left in the first half.

"Just one more game to be district champions," said Eiland. "That was my first-ever touchdown pass and it was great. We never even worked on that play until this week and it worked great."

Commerce threatened on back-to-back drives to open the third quarter, but both times the Quinlan defense stiffened.

Phifer directed a 10-play drive that ended at the Panther 17 when Boyter was stuffed for no gain by Brad Harrison on a fourth and one try.

Brandon Rainbolt stripped the ball from Eiland just two plays later to give Commerce the ball at the Panther 26. Commerce advanced to the 8but consecutive false starts pushed the ball back to the 18 and again the Tigers came up empty.

And that was when Quinlan went into high gear as they marched 82 yards on the next possession. The 13-play drive ended in paydirt when Fowler hit Goss from 21 yards out on the first play of the final stanza.

Another trick play set up the next Quinlan score as Charlie Waters onside kick was recovered by the Panthers at the Commerce 37.The ensuing drive appeared to stall at the 14, though as Quinlan faced a fourth-and-seven from the 14. But Fowler found Goss all alone in the end zone to up the margin to 21-0 with 8:21 left.

Quinlan, which racked up 17 first downs, had 398 yards of total offense. Fowler completed seven-of-nine passes for 129 yards and the two touchdowns. Eiland, who also caught two passes for 11 yards, finished with 263 yards of total offense.