SALLISAW – It was a game of inches Friday night in the first round of the 2024 OSSAA Playoffs. The Sallisaw Black Diamonds stopped Grove just inches from the goal line on a 2-point game winning conversion attempt to get the victory 27-26 to move on to the State quarterfinal.

It started out well for the Black Diamond who scored first on a 1-yard plunge by quarterback Kase Adams with 2:12 left in the first quarter.

Shortly thereafter, an interception by Sallisaw at the Grove 28 yard line led to a 28-yard touchdown toss from Adams to Cooper Cox on the first play of the drive. The extra point try by Brian Castor was good and the Black Diamonds led 14-0, with 0:42 remaining in the first.

A stiff Sallisaw defense held the Ridgerunners scoreless for the remainder of the half and the Diamonds went to the break with a 14-0 advantage.

After the break the momentum shifted to Grove. An Adams pass attempt to Cole Mayfield was picked off by Grove’s Ezra Gates at the Sallisaw 30. Two plays later Jackson Gain took it in from the 11 on a quarterback draw play and the Ridgerunners were within 7, 14-7 with just over 10 minutes remaining in the third.

Two minutes later with the Ridgerunners back in possession, a Gates to Isaac Sheffield pass went for 71-yards and a Grove score to tie the game at 14-all.

A 34-yard Castor field goal got the Black Diamonds back on top with 5:50 left in the period, but they would see that lead disappear in the fourth quarter when with just minutes remaining in the game, Gates and Sheffield hooked up for their second touchdown connection of the night and Grove took their first lead in the game 20-14.

The extra point attempt was blocked by the Diamonds Kash Keeps and that play would soon become crucial in the final minutes.

With just 52 ticks remaining Castor hit a 39-yard field goal to tie it up at 20 and send the game to overtime.

In overtime Sallisaw got the ball first. Two consecutive Grove penalties took the ball down to the 2 yard line and Kenyon Hill took it in for the score and a 27-20 Diamonds lead.

Grove’s OT effort was also successful on a Gavin Wyatt quarterback dive from the 2 yard line and the Ridgerunners attempted to go for 2-points to end the game.

With Gain back behind center, a QB sweep to the right side fell just 6 inches short of the goal line when his knee touched down before the ball crossed the line and the Black Diamonds held on to get the win 27-26.

Sallisaw will have to hit the road next week to Elgin to take on the Owls in the quarterfinal round.