Billingsley withstood a late Loachapoka rally for a 27-26 win in the first round of the Class 1A state playoffs on Friday.

The Bears defense stopped Loachapoka’s try for a 2-point conversion to win the game after the hosts scored a touchdown with 35 seconds remaining.

Billingsley (8-3) built a 27-12 lead when Torrey Green returned a kickoff 75 yards for a touchdown and then Thomas Nichols passed to Trey Tyus for a 2-point conversion.

But Loachapoka (6-5) scored the final 14 points.

Terrance Nolen started the scoring in the game with a 14-yard touchdown run with 1:41 remaining until halftime.

Loachapoka tied the game, but Billingsley retook the lead on a 47-yard pass from Nichols to Torrey Green, and then a 10-yard keeper by Nichols.

Loachapoka scored to make it 19-12, then Green struck on the ensuing kickoff.

Nolen rushed 16 times for 83 yards, and Rashaud Caver rushed 11 times for 81 yards.

Nichols was 3-for-8 passing for 58 yards. Green accounted for 48 of those passing yards on two catches.

Nolen paced the defense with 14 tackles. Matt Prebula (12 tackles) and Abram Dudley (11) weren’t far behind.

Tyus intercepted a pass.