PARKER CITY — Monroe Central’s bid for a statement win slipped away in the final minute Friday night, as visiting Osceola Grace strung together one last drive to escape with a 33-30 victory.

The Golden Bears (3-4) appeared in control against the Eagles (4-3) after senior running back Caleb Luedike capped a nine-play, 72-yard march with a 2-yard touchdown run that gave Monroe Central a 30-27 lead with 2:33 remaining.

But Osceola Grace answered.

The Eagles covered 74 yards in seven plays, converting a third-and-16 with a 43-yard completion before connecting for a 25-yard touchdown pass with 52 seconds left to reclaim the lead.

Monroe Central advanced to its own 48 on its final possession, but quarterback Dallas Frantz’s last-second heave toward Kyler Bogue fell incomplete as time expired.

Despite the narrow loss, Monroe Central’s offense produced one of its most effective efforts of the season, rolling up 388 total yards on 62 plays and controlling possession for 28 out of 48 minutes. The Bears dominated on the ground, rushing for 360 yards to Osceola Grace’s 102. Luedike powered the attack, carrying the ball 27 times for 214 yards and four touchdowns, averaging 7.9 yards per carry and accounting for 14 first downs.

Supporting him were Ethan Hunt with 77 yards on 13 carries and Bogue with 63 yards on five rushes, both helping sustain long drives that kept Osceola Grace’s defense on the field.

The difference came through the air, where Osceola Grace gained 290 passing yards and scored all three of its second-half touchdowns via the pass. The effort included two long third-down conversions that shifted momentum late.

The opening half was evenly matched. Osceola Grace built a 14-6 lead midway through the second quarter before Frantz scored on a 2-yard keeper to cut the deficit. Luedike followed with a 5-yard touchdown run in the closing seconds of the half, sending Monroe Central into the locker room with an 18-14 advantage.

The second half became a back-and-forth exchange. Osceola Grace struck first with a 31-yard touchdown pass early in the third quarter, but Monroe Central regained the lead on Luedike’s 6-yard scoring run to make it 24-21. Another Eagle touchdown pass put the visitors back ahead 27-24 late in the third.

The Bears had a chance to tie or take the lead early in the fourth quarter but missed a 34-yard field goal attempt with 10:54 remaining. The defense then forced a turnover on downs, setting up their final scoring drive. Using a series of direct snaps to Luedike, Monroe Central powered downfield and went ahead 30-27 with just over two minutes left, only for Osceola Grace’s final passing surge to decide the outcome.

Defensively, Dylan Summers led the Bears with five tackles, including three for loss, and a sack. Travis Reed had a team-high seven tackles, while Peyton Cummins added a sack. Monroe Central recorded two sacks and created consistent backfield pressure, but the Eagles’ downfield success and quick-tempo passing game proved difficult to contain.

Monroe Central’s ball control and rushing dominance reflected a clear identity, but turnovers and missed opportunities prevented a breakthrough win. The Bears lost one of three fumbles, failed to score on two conversion attempts, and came up short on a key field goal.

Osceola Grace finished with 392 total yards on 61 plays.

The loss dropped Monroe Central below .500 with two games left in the regular season.