CULLMAN, Ala. – The Cullman Bearcats were home Friday night hosting their long-time rival, the Hartselle Tigers. Similar to the week before, Cullman jumped out to an early lead. Unlike the week before, however, Cullman held on for a nail-biter win, with a final score of 14-9.
Cullman took the opening kickoff at their own 30-yard line. The Bearcats wasted little time when Weston Keel took a handoff on the second play of the game and ran 66 yards for a Cullman touchdown. Brooks West kicked the extra point, and Cullman took the lead with 11:03 remaining in the first quarter 7-0.
The Cullman defense held the Tigers to four plays and quickly forced a Hartselle punt. Kolby Holt had a good return, and the Bearcats had the ball on their own 38-yard line. Six plays later, Cullman was forced to punt the ball.
Hartselle blocked the Cullman punt, and the Tigers recovered the ball and returned the ball 50 yards for a touchdown. The extra point was good, and the Tigers tied the score with 5:22 left in the first quarter 7-7.
After a quick three-and-out for Cullman, the Tigers took over possession on their own 36-yard line going into the second quarter. Hartselle overcame a fourth-and-one to continue their drive. Four plays later, the Tigers fumbled the ball and Parker Berry recovered for the Bearcats at their own 31-yard line. Â
During the drive, Cullman’s quarterback completed a 25-yard completion to Holt and a 22-yard completion to Keel. On the eighth play of the drive, Keel ran for his second touchdown of the night from 15 yards out. The extra point was good, and Cullman took back the lead with 6:57 left in the half 14-7.
On Cullman’s last drive of the half, the Bearcats took over near midfield. After a personal foul facemask penalty and six plays later, the Bearcats had a fourth down on the Hartselle 25-yard line. The Bearcats lined up for a 42-yard field goal attempt. Hartselle blocked the attempt and returned the ball for a touchdown. A block in the back from Hartselle nullified the score and first half ended with Cullman leading 14-7.
During the third quarter, each team exchanged possessions without either team scoring. Just before the end of the third quarter, Cullman had to punt. Morgan Holley’s punt pinned the Tigers deep at their own one-yard line. After three quarters, the score remained 14-7 with the Bearcats leading.
Hartselle continued their drive into the fourth quarter. The Tigers totally controlled the fourth quarter. Eighteen plays later, Hartselle faced fourth-and-goal from Cullman’s 5-yard line. Quarterback David Amos tried to pass the ball, and it was incomplete and the Bearcats took over at their own 5-yard line with 2:58 left in the game.
Three plays later, the Bearcats were forced to punt. Suffering a bad snap, the Tigers caught the punter in the endzone for a safety and the Tigers narrowed the score 14-9 with 1:02 left in the game.
The Bearcats had to kick off to Hartselle after the safety. The Tigers took over at their own 47-yard line with 54 seconds left in the game. With a touchdown, Hartselle would win the game. Five plays later with one second left in the game, Amos completed a pass inside Cullman’s 5-yard line. Cullman quickly tackled the receiver before getting into the end zone, completing the win for the Bearcats 14-9.
Before leaving with an injury in the third quarter, Weston Keel led the Bearcats with 111 yards rushing and two touchdowns.
Cullman begins region play next week, when they host the Minor Tigers at home.
