CAIRO- The Cairo Syrupmakers’ Class 3-A first-round playoff game against Douglass on Saturday came down to a final play – one that Cairo failed to convert on its second two-point attempt that would have won the game.

Cairo scored a touchdown in the waning moments, but its two-point conversion failed, and the Syrupmakers dropped a heartbreaker 14-13 to the Astros.

Douglass advances to this week’s second round, while the Syrupmakers finished 6-5.

It was the second two-point try for Cairo after a penalty negated the Syrupmakers’ successful two-point conversion on the first attempt.

Cairo played without standout running back Bryian Duncan who was held out with an injury. The Syrupmakers mustered 145 rushing yards but only averaged three yards per attempt. Xiquavian Teal led the Syrupmakers with 65 rushing yards followed by Ronnie Huntley’s 38. Freshman quarterback Bryce Puckett completed 6-of-12 passes for 42 yards and one interception.

Teal scored the Syrupmakers’ first touchdown on a 26-yard scamper in the third quarter that tied the game 7-7. But Douglass responded with a 58-yard touchdown gallop to give the Astros the lead again.

Cairo limited its mistakes, losing just one turnover and committing just three penalties. But it punted four times and managed just 187 offensive yards.

The Syrupmakers ended the season with a three-game losing streak to Region 1 champ Peach County, Westover and Douglass.