DECATUR, Ala. – After dropping their first game of the season at Mars Hill last week, the Bearcats were back on the road for a region matchup Friday night and they downed the Decatur Red Raiders 21-10 to improve to 6-1 on the season.
Both teams traded punts on their opening possessions but after Cullman punted it away on its second possession, a roughing the kicker penalty kept the drive alive. Just a few snaps later, ‘Cats running back Jake Dueland tore off a 33-yard touchdown that made it a 7-0 game midway through the first quarter. Cullman struck again in the opening period when running back Noah Kee punched one in from 4 yards out and the extra point stretched the lead to 14-0 with just over a minute to play in the period. The scoring play was set up by a phenomenal 46-yard throw and catch from Max Dueland to Jake Dueland.
The Bearcats forced another Decatur punt early in the second quarter and on the ensuing possession, Cullman drove the ball deep into Red Raider territory and Max Dueland snuck one in from a yard out to make it 21-0 with eight minutes to play in the second. That’s when Decatur started to cause some trouble for the Bearcats. A ‘Cats field goal attempt was blocked with two and a half minutes remaining in the first half and Decatur took advantage with a field goal on the other end that cut the lead 21-3 with 30 seconds to play in the second. The Red Raiders then recovered an onside kick and were able to work the ball down the field in just a few plays to score and make it a 21-10 game going into the locker room at the break.
After giving up 10 points in the final two minutes of the first half, Cullman’s defense tightened some things up in the second half. The Bearcats were able to stay on the field and drain some time away throughout the second half but weren’t able to get back in the end zone. However, the ‘Cats didn’t allow to get back on the scoreboard the rest of the way either and they held on to collect the region win 21-10.
Jake Dueland led the Bearcats on the ground with 99 yards and a touchdown on 15 carries. He also hauled in two passes for 55 yards. Kee added 66 yards and a score on 11 carries in the win and Max Dueland completed six of his seven passes for 84 yards while also posting a rushing touchdown of his own.
Cullman will be back home next week for another important region showdown against Columbia.
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