For three and a half quarters, the Enterprise Wildcats appeared on their way to a shutout win and a spot in the Class 7A semifinals. But there was still some magic left in the most successful season in Mary G. Montgomery history.

Trailing by 10 points, MGM scored a touchdown, recovered a surprise onside kick, executed a perfect deep pass from Jared Hollins to Jaiden Smith, then relied on the first game-winning field goal in the career of senior Aaron McCraney for a 13-10 win.

It all happened in the final 5:14 of the game.

The Vikings, who had never won a playoff game before last week, will now face state power Central-Phenix City on the road for a spot in the Class 7A state championship game.

“What a battle,” said MGM coach Zach Golson. “We just made one more play at the end. Our kids never stopped believing.”

Until the late rally, the game was a defensive slugfest. The Vikings did not have a first down until 5:31 left in the first half. At that point, every snap by both teams had begun in MGM territory.

But Enterprise was only able to convert the field-position advantage into a 3-0 lead on a 25-yard field goal by Andrew Pickard.

At halftime, MGM had run 28 plays for only 76 yards (an average of 2.7 yards per play), while Enterprise was held to 48 yards on 21 snaps (an average of 2.3 yards per play).

But the Wildcats came to life in the second half, taking the opening kickoff and moving 76 yards in 16 plays on a drive that consumed 7:40. The touchdown came on a 9-yard quarterback sweep by Keion Dunlap.

When the defense did not allow a first down on the next two possessions, the Wildcats appeared to be in control. But, as the fourth quarter began, the Vikings came to life.

Hollins, the South Alabama commit, started using his scrambling ability in addition to his passing prowess. On a 71-yard touchdown drive, Hollins ran the ball four times for 19 yards and completed passes of 20 and 34 yards. The touchdown came on a 4-yard run by Shondell Harris with 5:14 left in the game.

Golson then gambled with the onside kick that was executed perfectly by McCraney and recovered in the middle of the field by Taj Bickham just as the ball had traveled 10 yards.

“I was praying coach would call that play,” Bickham said. “Even before we kicked it, I knew that ball was mine. I had to save our team.”

The Vikings took advantage of the momentum on the very next play, as Hollins found Smith down the right sideline for 37 yards. The Wildcat defense stiffened, forcing the Vikings to settle for a 25-yard field goal to tie the game with 2:57 remaining.

Three running plays by Enterprise lost two yards, forcing a punt. MGM took possession at the 50 with 1:07 remaining in the game. Hollins quickly connected on passes of 7, 8 and 19 yards. Two short runs set up the game-winning 21-yard field goal with 7 seconds left.

“I was just trying to keep everything in my head quiet,” McCraney said. “I had so much adrenaline that my whole everything was shaking. But I had confidence.”

Enterprise had four laterals on the ensuing kick and got the return past midfield before the final tackle was made, sending Mary G. Montgomery to the state semifinals.

Stat of the Game: MGM did not have a first down in the first quarter or the third quarter. Enterprise had only one first down in the second quarter and none in the final 16:20 of the game.

Streak continues: MGM has still held all 12 opponents this season to 14 points or fewer.

Player of the Game: Hollins, who will play for Enterprise coach Ben Blackmon in the Alabama-Mississippi Classic, completed 16 of 29 passes for 193 yards. He also ran 9 times for 18 yards. It was not one of his better statistical games, but Hollins was as clutch as ever.

By The Numbers: MGM finished with 59 rushing yards and 193 passing, for 252 total yards. Enterprise ran for 132 yards and passed for only 4 yards for a total of 136.

Coachspeak: “Our guys laid their guts on the line,” said Enterprise coach Ben Blackmon. “Both teams battled and battled and battled. We showed a lot of composure and fight, but they just made one more play.”

They said it: “We just kept fighting,” Hollins said. “In the fourth quarter we found a way to come through.”

Next week: Mary G. Montgomery (12-0) will play for a spot in the Super 7 next Friday at No. 1 Central-Phenix City. Enterprise’s season ends with a 9-3 record.