{
  "id": 15126816,
  "title": "McCollum surges in second half to take down Lanier and clinch playoff berth",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/17/mccollum-surges-in-second-half-to-take-down-lanier-and-clinch-playoff",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-17T05:10:53.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/mccollum-surges-second-half-down-051053452.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In a thrilling second half performance, McCollum Cowboys pulled away from Lanier Voks and secured their first playoff berth since 2015 with a 57-21 victory at the SAISD Sports Complex on Friday, Oct. 16, 2026. Coach David Wilkinson urged his team to return to fundamental football strategies after a slow start. Senior quarterback Luke Tejeda led the charge, completing 16 of 19 passes for 263 yards and two touchdowns as McCollum took control in the second half. Tejeda's decision-making and poise were praised by Wilkinson, citing his development over two years and work ethic. Lanier scored early with a 69-yard run, but McCollum answered with a 7-play drive ending in a rushing touchdown by Jordan Casares. Lanier regained the lead on a designed QB power play, but McCollum's defense held firm in the second half. A big kickoff return and two key drives, including a 52-yard score by Jaedon Casares and two one-yard scores, sealed the win. Coach Wilkinson expressed excitement about the playoff berth but emphasized the need to prepare for the next challenge.",
  "summary": "The senior quarterback led the Cowboys to points on their first five drives of the second half to surge past the Voks to a perfect 5-0 record in District 14-5A-II.",
  "key_points": [
    "McCollum Cowboys defeat Lanier Voks 57-21 in second half",
    "Senior QB Luke Tejeda completes 16 of 19 passes for 263 yards",
    "McCollum secures first playoff berth since 2015"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}