52 Seconds Left: Cox Finds a Way to Beat Salem

A touchdown with 52 seconds remaining and a final defensive stop delivered a 24–20 home victory for Cox over Salem.

Quarterback Braden Herron found sophomore tight end JD Graham for the decisive 24-yard touchdown. Graham adjusted between two defenders to complete the catch, turning a 20–18 deficit into a late Falcons lead.

Shannon Mitchell then intercepted a pass on Salem’s final possession to secure the win and move Cox to 5–1.

More than one decisive play

The finish capped a game with contributions across the Cox lineup. Tyre Jefferies rushed for 169 yards on 29 carries, including an 18-yard touchdown in the third quarter. Alec Clifton kicked a 33-yard field goal, and Herron added a rushing touchdown.

For Great Neck supporters, the closing sequence offered plenty to celebrate: an offense that answered when it had to, followed by a defense that finished the job.

Game details are based on Darrell Cuenca’s reporting in the article supplied to CVA. This is a CVA recap, not on-site reporting. The accompanying football photograph is illustrative and does not depict this game.

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