BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Cullman Bearcats made the trip south to the Birmingham area to take on the Huffman Vikings in a region game. Huffman, behind freshman quarterback Semaj Williams’ passing, defeated the Bearcats 28-14.
Taking the opening kickoff, Huffman quickly drove deep into Cullman territory. Williams completed a 47-yard pass during the drive. On the next play, Parker Berry intercepted Williams and Cullman had the ball at their own 28-yard line.
On Cullman’s first offensive play, Kolby Holt fumbled the ball and Huffman’s Zyon Perkins recovered the ball and returned it 28 yards for a touchdown. The point after was good and with 10:15 left in the first quarter, the Vikings had a lead, 7-0.
On the ensuing kickoff, Huffman kicked it out of bounds twice. Cullman took over on their own 37-yard line. During the drive, Clayton Colvard completed a 10-yard pass to Nelson Hollingsworth. A penalty ultimately stalled the drive, and the Bearcats were forced to punt.
Huffman took over on their own 35-yard line. After two penalties on Cullman and one on Huffman, the Vikings were at midfield. Williams connected with Ja’Korey Barber for a 50-yard touchdown. With 4:56 left in the first quarter, the Vikings extended their lead to 14-0.
A good punt return by Holt was negated by a penalty against the Bearcats. During the drive, the Bearcats overcame a fourth-and-1 when Colvard ran for 3 yards and a first down. Three plays later, Colvard connected with Hollingsworth for a 64-yard touchdown. The point after kick was good by Brooks West and the Bearcats closed the lead to 14-7 with 25 seconds left in the first quarter.
Huffman had the ball for the first drive of the second quarter. Eleven plays later Williams completed an 18-yard touchdown pass and the Vikings extended their lead to 21-7 with 6:49 left to go in the first half.
The Bearcats took over at their own 20-yard line. On the first play, Colvard completed a pass to Hollingsworth. The ball was fumbled and the Vikings recovered. A facemask penalty against Cullman put the ball at the 5-yard line. Simeon Conner ran 5 yards for a quick touchdown, and with 1:39 left in the half, Huffman led the Bearcats 28-7.
The first half ended with the score 28-7. Total yardage for the first half heavily favored the Vikings, 236-112.
The third quarter was highlighted by penalties and mistakes on both sides. Cullman failed to convert on two fourth downs. Huffman’s punter dropped a snap. The quarter ended with the score still 28-7.
Cullman started the fourth quarter on a drive that ended on a failed fourth down conversion. The Vikings took over on their own 30-yard line. They were forced to punt after three plays.
A 38-yard punt return by Holt had Cullman threatening on Huffman’s 20-yard line. Three plays later, the Bearcats were facing a fourth down again. This time Holt ran for a 3-yard first down. Three plays later, Colvard completed a 9-yard touchdown pass to Samuel Ellerbee. With 5:59 left in the game, Cullman narrowed the lead to 28-14.
Cullman attempted an on-side kick. They were penalized for touching the ball before it went 10 yards. Huffman took over on Cullman’s 44-yard line. Unable to gain a first down, the Vikings were forced to punt.
On the catch, Huffman ran into Holt trying to catch the ball. A sack and a penalty had the Bearcats facing fourth-and-23. Colvard completed a pass to Ellerbee for 16 yards and the Bearcats turned the ball over on downs. The Vikings ran out the clock and won the game 28-14.
Next week, Cullman travels to Jasper for a Thursday night game.
