EL DORADO — Trailing by a point to host Union Mine with 25 seconds left in Friday night's game after the Hawks had scored a late touchdown, Liberty Ranch coach Anthony Linebaugh decided to go for the two-point conversion looking for a win instead of a tie.

After Diamondback and officials' timeouts, Liberty Ranch converted as Jacob Tibbets hit Sean Avis with a pass. Union Mine argued to no avail that the throw had hit the turf and the Hawks' stunning comeback ended in a 39-38 Sierra Valley Conference win for the visitors.

"As soon as we scored I told the guys we're going for broke," Linebaugh said. "That was one heck of a game. Union Mine is a very disciplined, well-coached team. It was a shame somebody had to lose."

The D'backs rallied from 14 points down in the third quarter to take the lead with four minutes left.

"I couldn't be more proud of the guys' effort tonight," Union Mine coach Dave Johnson said. "We could have easily just folded up there in the third quarter but they really battled back. I'm obviously not happy with the outcome but I'm very proud of the fight they showed tonight."

After Liberty Ranch's John Wiernicki's 41-yard touchdown run put the Hawks up 31-17, it looked like the D'backs had simply run into a better team.

"Our defense really stepped up and made a couple stops," Johnson said. "Our offense took advantage and we really had the momentum back on our side. That last play, a better angle by the official, and we're a happier bunch right now — but it is what it is. That was just a great game by two good football teams."

Trailing by 14, Union Mine fought back and went 56 yards in just six plays. A 16-yard run by Sean Tow and a 26-yard catch by Jeremy Hernandez got the home team into scoring territory before Hernandez went the final 5 yards to cut the deficit to 31-24.

Two possessions later, the D-backs were on the move again. On a third-and-10 play from midfield, quarterback Graham Bennett hit Shane O'Leary for a 35-yard gain to the Hawks' 9-yard line. Tow went the final yards to tie the score at 31-all.

"Up 14 things were looking pretty good," Linebaugh said. "But I knew Union Mine was a team capable of coming back — they have some athletes and Sean (Tow) is a dangerous back."

After Union Mine's defense forced Liberty Ranch to go three-and-out, it didn't take the home team long to find the end zone. After a short 3-yard run on first down, Tow took the handoff and outraced the Hawk secondary for a 65-yard score to put the D'backs up 38-31. Tow finished with a team-high 209 yards on 24 carries.

"Sean (Tow) had just a tremendous game tonight," Johnson said. "Jeremy (Hernandez) had some good runs, which really took the defensive focus off Sean. Offensively we ran the ball well and had some big plays in the passing game."

With just over four minutes left, Liberty Ranch rushed for 64 yards in nine plays to score the decisive points.

"We've got some guys banged up so the bye week couldn't be coming at a better time," Johnson said of this coming Friday. "We'll go back to work Monday and take what we learned from this game and move on. I'm extremely proud of the effort tonight — the kids just never quit."

The teams traded early field goals and Bennett's 1-yard keeper tied the game at 10-10 before Union Mine pushed ahead on Bennett's 50-yard screen pass to Tow. The Hawks came back to even the score and went into the locker room at halftime ahead 24-17.

Halftime festivities included cheerleaders, the D'back marching band — and several streakers.

Statistically for Union Mine, Hernandez had 96 yards rushing and 57 yards on five receptions. Kona Teixiera added 24 yards on three catches while Bennett finished with 173 yards on 11-of-21 passing.

Weirnicki led all rushers with 219 yards on 23 carries and John Kendall added 82 yards for the Hawks.

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