In a battle that many anticipated might swing the balance of the Bay Valley Athletic League football landscape, the Freedom High football team outlasted host Pittsburg 49-48 on Friday.

A blocked PAT kick by Darrell Daniels with 3:30 left in the game proved the difference.

"I just went all out and dove and the ball hit my helmet," said Daniels, who had 143 yards from scrimmage and scored twice.

Pittsburg would get the ball back with 1:21 remaining and no timeouts, but an interception by Christian Montion sealed the win with 30 seconds to go.

It was a see-saw battle the entire game with both teams holding 14-point leads at one point. The Pirates (4-3, 1-1 BVAL) built a 42-28 second-half lead behind a rushing attack that gained over 360 yards and produced all seven of their touchdowns. Harris Ross lead the ground attack with 169 yards on 14 carries.

"We bent but didn't break," Freedom coach Kevin Hartwig said of his defense. "Well, we broke, but mended things back together in time to make a play at the end."

Freedom quarterback Dante Mayes broke the 42-42 tie with a 14-yard touchdown pass to Daniels with 7:28 left in the game. It was his fourth scoring pass of the night. The first three went to running back Joe Mixon, who also rushed for a score and threw for one out of the wildcat formation.

"It was a great game," Pittsburg coach Victor Galli said. "It's a big win for Freedom. They're a good football team. Disappointed

Neither team wasted anytime displaying its offensive prowess.

Despite Mayes -- the Falcons' regular starting quarterback -- beginning the game on the sidelines, Freedom (5-2, 2-0) took the opening possession and scored on a 38-yard end-around run by receiver Daniels after just six plays.

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Freedom 49, Pittsburg 48