For most of Red Level’s game against Highland Home Friday night, it looked as if the Tigers would win.

But Highland Home took the lead with only 3:17 left in the game to steal the win, 24-20.

Red Level scored on its first offensive play when Raheem Bullock ran 74 yards for a touchdown with 7:06 left in the first quarter. The point-after was good, and the Tigers were up 7-0.

Highland Home answered with an 11-yard touchdown pass three minutes later to tighten the gap, but the point-after attempt was no good and Red Level maintained a 7-6 lead.

With eight minutes left in the second, O.J. McGee recovered a fumble in his team’s backfield and ran 75 yards to paydirt. The PAT was good, and the Tigers were up 14-6.

Highland Home answered with 1:47 left in the half, scoring on a one-yard run. The PAT was no good, and Red Level went to the locker room up 14-12 at the half.

The Tigers extended their lead in the third when Preston Ryce scored on a one-yard run with 5:35 left in the quarter. The PAT was no good, and Red Level had a 20-12 lead.

Highland Home narrowed the gap with a 20 seconds left in the third to make it 20-18. Red Level held on until late in the fourth, when Highland Home scored a one-yard touchdown with 3:17 left in the game, ending the scoring at 24-20.

Bullock led the Tigers on offense with 17 carries for 178 yards and one touchdown. McGee carried twice for 80 yards and one touchdown. Troy Grissett led the Red Level defense with 10 tackles, two solos and one quarterback sack.

Red Level fell to 3-4 on the year. Next week, they’re on the road against Zion Chapel, where a win would put them tied with New Brockton for the fourth seed in the playoffs.

Thanks to Johnnie Douglas for reporting this game.