Isabella outlasted Millry en route to a 26-21 win in the first round of the Class 1A playoffs.

“Right now it’s all about finding a way to win, and that’s what they did,” Isabella head coach Tate Leonard said. “It wasn’t pretty, but it’s about surviving.”

The first half was all about both defenses making stops when it mattered most. As a result, Isabella trailed 6-0 at the half.

However, the offenses came alive in the second half with a combined 41 points being scored in the second half, including all of the Mustangs’ points.

“The defense stepped up in the first half and the offense got it clicking in the second half,” Leonard said.

Big plays were the name of the game for Isabella.

Two of its scores were a 90-yard fumble return for a score by Jordan Campbell and a 62-yard run by Jarred Campbell. Both players ran the majority of those yards down the right sideline and a joyous Isabella bench.

Jarred Campbell toting the ball was a big reason for Isabella’s offensive explosion in the second half.

“They had a hard time stopping him tonight, and he came through for us,” Leonard said.

Jarred Campbell finished with 173 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 15 carries, including what would turn out to be the game-winning score from four yards out with 2:32 left in the game.

Jaqarise Stacy ran in a score for the Mustangs and also fended off initial contact at the line of scrimmage to pick up a crucial first down on fourth and 1 that made Jarred Campbell’s winning touchdown a possibility.

Millry took some shots downfield and was able to connect on a few of them for big plays and touchdowns.

On one of the occasions when the deep ball did not payoff was when Kendall Reeves out-leaped a receiver and picked off a pass with the game in jeopardy in the fourth quarter.

It was Reeves’ interception that setup Isabella’s final scoring drive.

 

“He just went up and made a play,” Leonard said.

Isabella will look to go farther than it did last season, as it turns its attention to a road contest with Wadley in the second round.