CULLMAN, Ala. – After falling in a nailbiter at Athens last week, the Cullman Bearcats were back home for another big region clash with the Jasper Vikings Friday night. The ‘Cats scored a go-ahead touchdown with less then four minutes on the clock but unfortunately for the home crowd, the Vikings were able to answer and take a late lead to hand the Bearcats another heartbreaking loss.
After forcing Jasper to punt on its opening possession, Cullman took an early lead when quarterback Colt Colvard checked it down to Weston Keel and he turned and weaved his way through the defense for a 52-yard touchdown and a 7-0 lead for the ‘Cats. The Vikings responded with a field on the ensuing possession to trim the lead to 7-3 but in the final minute of the first quarter, Jasper found the end zone to take a 9-7 lead going into the second.
Another touchdown from the Vikings made it a 16-7 game midway through the second quarter but in the final minutes of the half, Keel punched one into the end zone from 3 yards out cut the lead to 16-14 at the halftime break.
Jasper got off to a fast start in the third quarter, scoring on a long touchdown run to take a 23-14 lead. However, a big return from Nelson Hollingsworth on the ensuing kickoff gave the Bearcats good field position and a few plays later, Keel capped a scoring drive with a 9-yard touchdown run to make it a 23-21 game. That lead held for Jasper until early in the fourth quarter when the Vikings quarterback was penalized for intentional grounding in the end zone, resulting in a safety and tying the game at 23 with 10:31 to play.
Cullman then put together a methodical drive, fueled by more tough running from Keel. After gaining a first down inside the 1-yard line, Colvard took the snap from under center and pushed his way into the end zone for a touchdown, putting the ‘Cats in front 29-23 with 3:36 on the clock. However, a missed extra point held the lead to 6.
Jasper’s offense worked its way down the field in the final three minutes until the Vikings were at Cullman’s 17-yard line with 29 seconds on the clock. Jasper’s quarterback kept it on a draw play and ran it up the middle for 17 yards and a touchdown to tie the game at 29 with 20 seconds on the clock. The Vikings tacked on the extra point to take a 30-29 lead and Cullman’s attempt to score on a hook and ladder play on the next possession was no good, resulting in another gutting loss for the Bearcats.
Cullman (0-4) has lost its last three games by a combined 5 points and will look to get in the win column against Muscle Shoals next week.
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