After jumping out to an early 22-0 lead Friday night against 3-4 Scotland County, the last thing the Harrisburg Bulldogs expected was to have to come from behind in the fourth quarter. But they emerged on top, winning 34-30 in dramatic fashion.

With both scoring runs of 22 unanswered points, the game came down to the final 1:55 seconds before Harrisburg would come out on top.

The Bulldogs opened the first quarter with a 56-yard touchdown pass from senior quarterback Tanner Lanes to classmate Jace Carr. Senior Gavin Curtis took his turn next bowling over the goal line from 2-yards out making the score 14-0.

Lanes would then hit junior Braden Wyatt for a 52-yard touchdown pass to end Harrisburg’s first-quarter scoring, leaving the Bulldogs ahead 22-0.

Scotland County was not ready to let the quarter end, however, without putting points on the board. The Tigers put up a 62-yard touchdown run of their own to make the score at the end of the quarter 22-8.

Senior Gavin Curtis started things off right for the Bulldogs in the second quarter with a nine-yard touchdown run. But the Tigers answered right back on a 35-yard pass-and-catch for a touchdown to make the score 28-14 going into the locker room at halftime.

Scotland County made it a one-possession ballgame in the third quarter as they scored the only points of the period on another long run, this one for 53 yards to cut the lead to 28-22.

With 4:10 to go in the fourth, Scotland County took the lead for the first time in the game. This time it was on a one-yard run and a two-point conversion that put the Tigers up 30-28.

On the kickoff, Bulldog Jace Carr put Harrisburg right back in business, running back the kick to the Tiger 33 before being drug down. After moving the ball 15-yards downfield, Lanes threw an 18-yard pass into the waiting arms of Braden Wyatt for his second touchdown reception of the night. The score put Harrisburg back in front 34-30. And with 1:50 left in the game, the Harrisburg defense held to keep Scotland County from crossing midfield to preserve the win.

“It was an amazing game to watch,” said Harrisburg coach Steve Hopkinson. “Lots of momentum swings. My heart is still pumping.”

Quarterback Tanner Lanes finished 15-for-29 for 312 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions on the night.

Sophomore running back Hayven Samuels rushed for 46 yards on 16 carries. Curtis made the most of his four carries, garnering 19-yards and two touchdowns. Senior Tanner Fike had two carries for six yards.

The Harrisburg receiving corps continued to shine with Wyatt leading the way Friday night. He had six receptions for 137-yards and two touchdowns. Carr followed right behind with five receptions for 106 yards and a touchdown.

Junior Anthony Alicea caught three passes for 42 yards while Fike snagged one pass for 37-yards.

Defensively, Tanner Fike had four solo tackles and a team-high 11 assists. Two of his tackles were for a loss.

Juniors Alicea, Fritts, and Wyatt, as well as senior Brayton Stephenson, had three tackles apiece. Seniors Carr and Curtis, along with juniors Harley Whitaker and Brayden Ott, and sophomores Hayven and Gaven Samuels, each recorded two tackles apiece.

Seniors Aidyn Stricker and Austyn Furlong, and juniors Bryce Rowden and Izik Butts, as well as sophomores Hunter Cole, and Eric McIntyre, all had one tackle on the night. Rowden added three assists.

Harrisburg went into the game ranked No. 10 in the state in Class 1 and will finish up the regular season hosting No. 6 Marceline at 7 p.m. Friday night. The Tigers lead the Lewis & Clark with an undefeated conference record heading into Friday’s showdown.