PIRATE FIELD — Finally, with just a few seconds left in Friday night's 28-21 win over Piedmont, the Rogers High School public address announcer could no longer contain his emotions.

"Get down, Tyler!" he shouted into the microphone.

After nearly 48 minutes of near-impartial information sharing and excitement, the announcer's home colors showed through when Pirate cornerback Tyler Grigsby picked off his team's second pass in seconds -- the previous takeaway having been fumbled right back to the trailing Bulldogs.

Given all the action that took place in the final minutes of Friday's 28-21 playoff loss by No. 1-ranked Piedmont, the announcer's eager exclamation should probably be forgiven.

After Rogers took a seven-point lead with 5:45 remaining, Piedmont moved the ball to the Pirate 23-yard line before quarterback Chris Strott was intercepted by defensive lineman Briar Allen with 48 seconds remaining. Allen fumbled during the return, but Rogers recovered.

When Grigsby fumbled the next snap from center, Piedmont fell on the ball and rushed the offense back on to the field for another shot at tying the score and heading into overtime.

But Stott's first pass, a deep route down the left sideline, hung in the air just long enough for Grigsby to redeem himself for his fumbled snap. He snagged the ball out of the air and began avoiding defenders as he ran.

That's when the announcer reminded Grigsby of his safest option.

The Pirates took over possession with 27 seconds remaining, but they weren't home free just yet.

Piedmont had all three time outs remaining and, after preventing Rogers from gaining a first down, got the ball back at the 25 with 17 seconds to play.

Strott's first pass was good for 13 yards. But his next pass fell incomplete as time expired and Pirates players and coaches rushed the field in celebration.

Rogers had bounced back from a 14-7 third quarter deficit to take the lead at 21-14 in the final minute of the period.

After a 21-yard run by Austin Kerr tied the game with just under three minutes left in the third quarter, Rogers recovered an onside kick. They scored three plays later on a diving, acrobatic catch in the end zone by Judson Stephens from 30 yards out.

Piedmont tied the game at 21-21 on a nine-yard pass from Strott to Dalton Riffey, then Kerr's third score of the night set up the fourth-quarter fireworks.

In the first quarter, the Pirates opened the scoring on a 60-yard pass from Grigsby to Allen. Piedmont then took the kickoff and drove to the Rogers 2-yard line before fumbling.

The turnover was the first of many turning points in the game.

Piedmont tied the game at 7-7 with 10:36 left in the half when Strott swept around right end and dove for the corner pylon.

Steve Smith's Bulldogs, who were making their fifth consecutive appearance in the quarterfinal round of the Class 3A state playoffs, finished the season with another region title and a record of 12-1.

Rogers will host Madison Academy Friday night.