GULF SHORES, Ala. – Brandon Silvers picked a great night to play the best game of his life.

The junior Gulf Shores quarterback threw for 261 yards and six touchdown passes and scored the game-winning two-point conversion in overtime of a 43-42 Dolphin win over Piedmont on Thursday. Silvers rolled to the right and launched himself head first into the endzone to give Gulf Shores (2-5) the win over the previously unbeaten defending 3A champions.

"I just had to get into the endzone for my team and that was it," Silvers said. "I tried to jump as high as I can to get in the endzone. I feel pretty good. It is the best feeling I've had all year."

Silvers hit Chris Tilley for a 10-yard touchdown on second down in overtime to set up the two-point try.

Silvers had 204 passing yards and five scores in the second half after throwing for just 57 yards, a touchdown and an interception in the first half.

"Brandon came out early and we missed some opportunities and in the past that kind of carried over on him," Gulf Shores coach Mark Freeman said, "but tonight he just had that look in his eyes like he wasn't going to be turned away."

Gulf Shores scored on a 17-yard pass from Silvers to Alec Szapiel to send the game to overtime. Silvers and Szapiel connected three times for touchdowns in the second half.

The Dolphins trailed by 14 twice, 21-7 and 28-14.

"We were down by two touchdowns a couple times tonight," Freeman said. "All we asked these kids to do is play hard. We knew this game was going to do something for our program, bad or good. We just challenged them to come out, don't be afraid to make a play and no matter what happens just play 48 minutes. I'm proud of the kids. It was a big win for them. Piedmont is a great program. When you win state championships losing never enters your mind. We knew they were never going to quit and they didn't quit."

Down 28-14 late in the third quarter, Daniel Laborde grabbed his second interception of the night and returned it to the Piedmont 20. Silvers hit Szapiel for a 20-yard score two plays later. Gulf Shores forced a punt on Piedmont's next possession, and the Dolphins drove 71 yards and scored on another Silvers to Szapiel touchdown pass.

The teams were tied at 7 at halftime. Piedmont scored on back-to-back possessions to start the second half to make the score 21-7. Dylan Searcy recovered a Bulldog fumble at the Gulf Shores 25, then the Dolphins drove 75 yards for a Silvers to Chris Tilley touchdown pass. Silvers and Tilley connected twice for scores.

Silvers had a touchdown pass to Drew Tranchina in the first half.

Derrick Jackson had two rushing touchdowns and a touchdown catch for Piedmont.

Gulf Shores hosts 5A Region 1 foe St. Paul's next Thursday night.

Below: Gulf Shores junior quarterback Brandon Silvers rolls right and dives into the endzone for the game-winning two-point conversion in overtime against Piedmont on Thursday. Video by Eric Mann.

Below: Brandon Silvers connects with Chris Tilley for a touchdown in the second half of a 43-42 overtime win over Piedmont on Thursday. Video by Eric Mann.