Cushionberry scores twice in Burleson's first victory of season

Tre Cushionberry scored two touchdowns as the Burleson Elks (1-5) earned their first victory of 2023 with a 36-32 comeback win over the Corsicana Tigers (2-4) Friday at Burleson ISD Stadium

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BURLESON – Tre Cushionberry scored two touchdowns as the Burleson Elks (1-5) earned their first victory of 2023 with a soul-searing 36-32 comeback win over the Corsicana Tigers (2-4) Friday at Burleson ISD Stadium in a Homecoming game for the ages. 

Cushionberry somehow cradled a 28-yard touchdown pass from Caden Ward between three defenders to give Burleson the four-point lead with six seconds left in the game after the extra point.

Ward cooly scanned the field and threw a perfect ball to give his receiver a chance to make a play, which Cushionberry did in miraculous fashion.

With four players lying prone in the front corner of the end zone, the crowd held its breath until Cushionberry leaped up holding the pigskin aloft and the referee shot his arms high into the sky. The stadium raucously rocked in delirious approval. 

Corsicana quarterback Adrian Baston scored on a six-yard rush to cap off a clutch 57-yard drive and give Corsicana a 32-29 lead after a successful two-point conversion with 48 seconds left in the fourth quarter.

After Corsicana scored three touchdowns in the first half, including the game’s first touchdown on a five-yard Andre Ibanez run on the game’s opening drive, Burleson took a 22-21 lead with 19 seconds left in the second quarter on a brilliant play call.

From Burleson’s 29-yard line, Caden Ward fired what looked like a pass to Jackson Green behind the line of scrimmage. After the passed ball bounced off the turf and Green pretended the play ended on an incomplete pass, Green suddenly threw a beautiful 71-yard touchdown pass to Tre Cushionberry.

Donya Armstrong rushed for a successful two-point conversion after Corsicana was offside on the ensuing extra-point attempt to secure the 22-21 lead. 

Armstrong also scored a touchdown on a 13-yard run to cut Corsicana’s lead to 21-14 in the first half.

Burleson carried their momentum into the second half as workhorse Nate Jackson scored on a five-yard rush to cap off a 67-yard drive to increase Burleson’s lead to 29-21 after the extra point.

Jackson had an outstanding night and would undoubtedly need time in the whirlpool after rushing for 149 hardfought yards and a touchdown on 19 carries. He repeatedly carried multiple defenders for extra yardage after being hit.

Burleson’s Jabari Smith also scored on a touchdown on a two-yard plunge to tie the game 7-7 midway through the first quarter.

Burleson’s next game will be against the Everman Bulldogs (4-2) Friday in Everman.