The Shelbyville Dragons erased a 19-point deficit in the final minutes Thursday night, scoring 20 points to upset fifth-ranked Joaquin, 40-39, in their District 12-2A Division I opener at East Texas.
Joaquin, the 2025 state runner-up, led 39-20 with 53 seconds left. Shelbyville quarterback Gavin McDonald then found wide receiver Ronnie Williams for a six-yard touchdown and connected with wide receiver Bryant Scarborough for the two-point conversion, cutting the lead to 39-28.
Running back Hunter Harvey recovered the ensuing onside kick at the Joaquin five-yard line. On the next play, McDonald hit Scarborough in the end zone for a touchdown. The two-point attempt was blocked, but Williams caught the interceptor short of the goal line, leaving the score 39-34.
Defensive back Andy Johnson recovered the second onside kick. After a penalty gave Shelbyville another chance, McDonald threw a Hail Mary from near midfield with four seconds left. Scarborough caught the ball at the two-yard line, dragged a defender into the end zone, and scored the game-winning touchdown.
The Shelbyville broadcaster was stunned at the finish.
“Touchdown, Touchdown, Touchdown Dragons! Are you kidding me? Are you kidding me?” he exclaimed.
Shelbyville improved to 4-2 and has sole possession of first place in the district, while Joaquin fell to 3-2.
The sequence of two onside recoveries, a close defensive score for Joaquin, and a last-second Hail Mary is among the most improbable finishes in Texas high school football.