Quanah Register
Sunday, December 4, 1994
Quanah, Texas
Local Section
Page A-1
Dobie stuns Quanah in "Famous Fumble" Finish
Irving - Despite being outplayed the whole game by underdog Dobie, Quanah was in position to advance to its first ever state championship game. However, Mark Beasley's fumble on a two-point conversion attempt allowed Dobie to return the ball 97 yards and take a 16-15 victory and dash Quanah's dream for a state title.
Dobie had led late in the fourth quarter, 14-9, when Mark Beasley was intercepted. Dobie linebacker John Jackson inexplicably opted against taking a knee and tried to run the ball back. He was hit by Phillip Dexter and subsequently fumbled the ball himself. In a stunning turn of events, wide receiver Jason Sanders picked up the loose ball and raced towards the endzone untouched. Quanah had taken a 15-14 lead and seemingly was headed for its first ever state championship game appearance.
But - then - cruel fate intervened. On the very next play, Mark Beasley was crushed on the blind side by linebacker John Jackson and the ball squirted loose. Free safety Dexter Johnson scooped up the ball and raced down the field to give Dobie the lead. Quanah's onside kick attempt failed and Dobie ran out the clock.
It was a bitter end to what seemed a promising season for Quanah High. Mark Beasley was inconsolable on the sidelines following the loss. Running back Aaron Jennings sat on the field for minutes after the game ended, stunned. Wide receiver Phillip Dexter sat on the bench, bewildered knowing he had just been a hero seconds before. Jason Sanders headed straight for the locker room in tears, knowing Quanah had just been beaten in such fashion.
"I honestly thought we had them, it was like destiny was on our side after I hit him on the return," Phillip Dexter said. "But give them credit, they fought back and just flat took it from us. They beat us physically most of the game. I wish them well next week."
"It's all my fault, I lost this game and I screwed Coach Hastings and everyone on this team out of a chance to play for a title," Mark Beasley said with tears flowing down his cheeks. "I don't care if it's a team game - I lost this game."
"No one player ever wins or loses a football game, period. I thought Mark (Beasley) had a great year, and it's tough to watch that kid go out with that kind of memory of his last game in a Quanah uniform. Honestly, I thought when Dexter punched that ball loose, fate was on our side. Unfortunately, this was not our year," Coach Hastings said.
For a team that was supposed to finally make the state championship game after last years semifinal loss, it is yet another bitter disappointment. Quanah lost to Midland 45-12 in last years semifinal game in which Mark Beasley was sacked eight times and had three turnovers. This game was no better. Beasley was sacked three times by Dobie and had three interceptions. Dobie controlled both lines of scrimmage for most of the game, but Quanah's stout defense kept them in the game. Quanah seemed to be out of rhythm the whole game. Whether it was having to don the traditional home uniforms for being the visiting team, or Dobie's intense pressure, the game seemed to be just out of reach most of the way. Despite being the home team, Dobie opted to wear their all white uniforms for this game, forcing Quanah to bring their traditional garnet tops with gold pants, instead of their traditional road jerseys. A change in style that ultimately may have been a myriad of factors that led to the upset.
Dobie only led 7-6 at the half, despite dominating in the statistical categories. Quanah briefly took the lead again on a 36 yard field goal in the third quarter, 9-7. Dobie has managed to fight back against late leads all year, and this game was no different. Steven Sullinger's one yard sneak gave Dobie the lead again, 14-9 with 5:47 left in the fourth quarter. Then it seemed Quanah was going to have a miracle finish when Jason Sanders picked up Jackson's fumble and took it back twenty-seven yards.
However, Quanah will only be left with the haunting memories of the "Famous Fumble" and what-could-have-been. Dobie will move on the face Plano next week in the Houston Astrodome for the state championship. Quanah finishes the season at 11-2.