Polk County trailed Lexington, 21-15, in the first round of state football playoff action at Columbus on Friday evening.  Polk was advancing, but only seconds remained in the game.

Jamal Wheeler had taken a punt at the Polk 32. Next play, Wheeler ran to the Lexington 49. He completed a pass to Bryce Martin, who advanced to the visitors’ 32.

Wheeler ran for six. He threw long–too long–toward Jason Chupp in the Lexington end zone.

Facing third and four, Wheeler again fired to Chupp, who caught the ball at the ten. Wheeler scrambled to the five. Nineteen seconds remained.

With Chupp drawing more attention than a White House gate-crasher, Wheeler hit Tanner Garrett in the end zone, tying the game at 21.

Davis Derkach made the PAT attempt. Each cheer seemed magnified a dozen times.

Derkach’s kickoff went to Stefon Moore, who was buried at the Lexington 43. With just two-plus seconds on the clock, Yellowjacket quarterback Devin Cross found a hole, but was soon down. The game was over. Polk won, 22-21. The 9-3 Wolverines will visit Reidsville this Friday.

Polk elected to kick to Lexington. On the game’s first play from scrimmage, a Yellowjacket receiver caught a short pass, but fumbled the ball, which Polk recovered at the Lexington 19.

Carries by Jordan Smith, Tyler Jackson and Khiree Green took the ball to the one. Wheeler, on a keeper, was short. On fourth and inches, he scored. Derkach’s kick made it 7-0.

With just under seven minutes left in the first quarter, Lexington quarterback Devin Cross hit Ty Hill, who ran for a score. The kick made it 7-7..

After Lexington’s kickoff, Wheeler led his team to mid-field, before firing a long pass intended for Chupp, who was double-teamed. Jerarmony Charles picked it off.

Polk’s defense responded, forcing Lexington to punt, but the Wolverines eventually turned the ball over on downs.

Lexington appeared to score on a pass to Moore, but a penalty negated the “score.” Chupp broke up another pass, but Cross eventually hit Charles for a second Lexington touchdown, with just over six minutes left in the first half. The PAT was good. Lexington led, 14-7.

Polk once more turned the ball over on downs.

That didn’t stop Polk’s defense, which played well all night. After Lexington reached Polk’s 30, the Wolverines’ Fred Salerno sacked Cross for a 12-yard loss.

Lexington scored once more as Daniel Bennett broke multiple tackles, with two-plus minutes remaining in the half. The subsequent extra point would be Lexington’s final point.

Polk took the kickoff, but turned the ball over on downs. Storm Wheeler intercepted a pass, and sped to the Lexington 45. Jamal Wheeler dashed to the Yellowjacket 22, ending the half.

Taking the kickoff to begin the second half, Polk advanced steadily to the Lexington 11, where, on a third and two, Tyler Jackson broke free, and scored. Jamal Wheeler hit Chupp in the end zone for a two-point conversion.

Chupp later recovered a fumble just after Lexington moved to the Wolverines’ 27.

At the end of three quarters, but not after four, Lexington led, 21-15.