ENNIS – In a rematch of a postseason route from a year ago, the Goldthwaite Eagles were pushed to the brink by the Maud Cardinals, but survived by a 36-34 count in five overtimes to earn a Class 2A Division II Region III bi-district championship Friday night.

Tied at 20 at the end of regulation, both District 10 third seed Goldthwaite (8-3) and District 9 runner-up Maud (5-6) scored touchdowns in the first overtime but did not convert the extra point, leaving the score at 26-all. The same occurred in the second overtime, with failed two-point attempts, making the score 32-32. Neither team converted a two-point try in the third overtime, but both teams were successful on two-point efforts in the fourth extra session, which resulted in a 34-all deadlock. Eagle quarterback Blake Howard then scored from 3 yards out in the fifth overtime, while the defense held to clinch the victory.

Goldthwaite – which won last year’s first-round meeting, 55-12 – finished with 298 yards of total offense – 153 passing and 145 rushing – and the game’s only turnover, while Maud generated 402 yards, with 327 coming on the ground.

Landry Sanderson rushed for 136 yards and three touchdowns to pace the Goldthwaite offense, while Blake Howard completed 11 of 17 passes for 153 yards with a touchdown and an interception. Casen Wiedebusch grabbed five receptions for 54 yards and a touchdown, and also scored on a 1-yard carry for the Eagles.

Aidyn Lee added three receptions for 53 yards, Zach Rodriguez caught two passes for 27 yards, and Owen Campbell caught a 19-yard pass and rushed for 7 yards for Goldthwaite.

The Eagles (8-3) will next face Overton (7-4) at 7 p.m. Friday at Groesbeck in Class 2A Division II Region III area round playoff action.