Mike Gottman’s worst fears appeared to be coming true.

“Don’t let a team hang around,” the East Bay coach told his squad at halftime of Friday’s Class 3M, Region 2 quarterfinal against visiting Osceola. “A fluke play … anything can happen.”

A fluke didn’t end the Indians’ title hopes, but a gutsy 13-play, fourth-quarter drive by the Warriors came close. In the end, Kaleb Jones and East Bay’s defense stepped up, stopping a potential tying two-point conversion try with 2:17 left as the Indians held on for a 14-12 victory.