The Red Level Tigers overcame a 13-point deficit to defeat Samson 28-25 Friday night.

A blocked Red Level punt put Samson on the board first.

Red Level took the opening possession, and after a three and out, dropped back to punt. But the visiting Tigers blocked the kick and returned for a 35-yard touchdown with 9:43 in the first quarter. The point-after was good and Samson was up 7-0.

The PAT was good and Samson had a 7-0 lead.

Samson then scored on a six-yard run at the 2:52 mark. The PAT was no good, and Samson had a 13-0 first-quarter lead.

Early in the second quarter, Red Level’s Preston Ryce took it in from one yard out on a quarterback sneak. The PAT was good, and the hosting Tigers narrowed the deficit to 13-7 with 11:53 left in the first half.

Samson answered, scoring on a two-yard run at the 7:13 mark. The PAT was no good, and Samson was up 19-7.

Red Level took over, and facing a third and long, Ryce, while under pressure, shuffled it to Raheem Bullock, who took it 63 yards for a touchdown with 27 seconds left in the first half. The PAT was no good, and Red Level went to the locker room down 19-13 at the half.

Red Level was able to turn it around late in the third quarter, when Ryce scored from 15 yards out. The kick was good, and the home team was ahead for the first time, 20-19.

But the lead was short-lived. Samson answered in its next drive, scoring on a five-yard run with 7:41 left in the game. The kick was no good, and the visiting Tigers were ahead again, 25-20.

Red Level was unable to convert, and turned it over on their own 38-yard line with 6:08 to go. Samson took control, but the defense held them on fourth and six, regaining possession on their own 33-yard-line with 3:39 left in the game.

Red Level began marching downfield. Ryce connected with Bullock on an 18-yard pass down to the Samson 20-yard line with 1:19 to go. On the very next play, Ryce hit O.J. McGee for a 20-yard touchdown pass. Ryce hit McGee again for a two-point conversion, and the Tigers led 28-25 with 1:08 left to play.

The ensuing kick off was taken by Samson at their own 45-yard line. Their pass was intercepted by McGee with 16 seconds to go in the game.

Bullock led the offense with 111 yards and one touchdown on 19 carries. Ryce gained 33 yards and two touchdowns on 10 carries and was four-for-eight in the air with 81 yards.

With the win, Red Level improved to 3-3 and 3-1 in region play. They travel to Zion Chapel next week.

Johnnie Douglas provided stats for this report.