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Mansfield Shocks Abilene

The 3rd ranked Abilene Eagles season came to a shocking end Friday night.  The Mansfield Tigers, winless in seven previous trips to the playoffs, stunned the Eagles 20-14 Friday at Tarleton Memorial Stadium in a Class 5A Division II bi-district playoff.

Abilene was a favorite to go to the state championship game.

Mansfield tailback Stepfan Taylor rushed for 198 yards and two touchdowns, scoring the game-winner with 3:54 to go in the game, and Jordon Finch's interception with 1:47 remaining stopped Abilene High's comeback bid.

The Tigers never trailed, scoring on the game's opening drive. Mansfield controlled the ball by converting eight of 15 third downs and going 3-for-3 on fourth downs. 

Most of Abilene High's 311 total yards came through the air. Quarterback Stephen Warren completed 21 of 29 attempts for 222 yards and two touchdowns. Sophomore Herschel Sims had seven receptions for 98 yards, including a 63-yard touchdown on the Eagles' first play.

The Eagles, who reached the Division II semifinals in 2007, finished the season at 10-1.

Mansfield (7-4) advances to next week's area round to take on El Paso Montwood.

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