VICKSBURG — The playoff hopes of the Dowagiac football team got a big boost as the Chieftains picked up a big 24-20 road victory over Vicksburg in Wolverine Conference play Friday night.

The Chieftains (5-3) led 12-7 at halftime against the Bulldogs (5-3) only to trail 13-12 heading into the fourth quarter.

Vicksburg increased its lead to 20-12 on Jacob Conklin’s third touchdown of the night in the fourth quarter.

Dowagiac was able to cut the lead to 20-18 when De’Ondray Henry scored. However, the two-point conversion run was called short, leaving the Chieftains down two points in the closing moments of the contest.

Dowagiac executed the on-side kick, recovering the ball at the Bulldogs’ 30-yard line.

Cailyn Murphy, who has already scored on a 12-yard run and thrown an 88-yard touchdown pass from Henry, tossed a five-yard score to T.J. Reed for the go-ahead touchdown.

The two-point conversion pass failed, but the Chieftain defense kept Vicksburg away from the end zone as time expired.

Dowagiac finished the night with 279 yards of total offense, while the Bulldogs amassed 292 yards of total offense.

D.J. Lanier led the Chieftains on the ground with 61 yards on 16 carries. Murphy was 6-of-14 for 172 yards and the two touchdowns. Henry caught the one pass from 88 yards, while Alex McIntosh added two receptions for 59 yards.

On defense, Dowagiac, which will host South Haven in its regular-season finale Friday night, was led by Lamberto Paredes, who had 11 tackles and a sack. Hunter Williamson also had 11 tackles and a sack, while Reed finished with seven stops and Zane McPhail six.

Lavarius Davis recovered a fumble for the Chieftains, who also had interceptions by Reed and Deshawn Brooks.