BREMEN, Ala. – Cooper Johnson rushed for 111 yards and four touchdowns Friday night as Cold Springs pulled away in the second half to defeat Southeastern 48-21 in Class 2A, Region 5 play.
The Eagles led 16-14 at halftime before scoring 20 unanswered points. Two kickoff recoveries helped Cold Springs extend its lead, and Eli Voce capped the scoring with an interception return for a touchdown.
Cold Springs recovered Southeastern’s opening onside kick and drove for the game’s first score. A 9-yard pass from Brandon Chasteen to Voce helped set up Johnson’s 4-yard touchdown run. Chasteen added the 2-point conversion for an 8-0 lead.
Voce intercepted a pass on Southeastern’s second offensive play to give the Eagles another possession. Cold Springs moved into scoring position, but the Mustangs intercepted Chasteen and returned the ball for a touchdown to cut the deficit to 8-7 late in the first quarter.
The Eagles answered with another scoring drive. Chasteen picked up a first down on a 10-yard run, then Ethan Day gained eight yards on consecutive carries. Johnson finished the possession with a 9-yard touchdown run, and Blake Phillips added the 2-point conversion to make it 16-7.
Cold Springs stopped Southeastern on fourth down during the Mustangs’ next possession. The Eagles then drove deep into Southeastern territory, with Chasteen connecting with Day for a 44-yard gain to the 9-yard line.
Two plays later, however, Southeastern recovered a fumble and returned it 92 yards for a touchdown, trimming Cold Springs’ lead to 16-14 at halftime.
The Eagles stopped the Mustangs on fourth down to open the second half, then extended their lead when Johnson broke free down the left sideline for a 32-yard touchdown. Chasteen’s 2-point conversion made it 24-14.
Elijah Moore recovered the ensuing kickoff for Cold Springs, giving the Eagles another possession. Phillips scored on a 7-yard run to put Cold Springs ahead 30-14 at the end of the third quarter.
Cason Alexander recovered the next kickoff, and the Eagles added to their lead again. Chasteen gained 19 yards on a run, and Alexander later carried for 18 yards to the 2-yard line. Johnson scored from a yard out two plays later for his fourth touchdown, extending the advantage to 36-14.
Southeastern responded with a drive that ended in a 2-yard touchdown run, cutting the lead to 36-21.
Cold Springs answered with a 21-yard touchdown pass from Chasteen to Voce. Voce then returned his second interception of the game for a touchdown to complete the scoring.
Johnson finished with 111 yards on 16 carries. Alexander added 74 rushing yards, Phillips had 67 yards and a touchdown and Chasteen rushed for 66 yards.
Chasteen completed 7 of 12 passes for 90 yards, a touchdown and an interception. Voce caught four passes for 39 yards and a touchdown, while Day had three receptions for 51 yards.
Cold Springs improved to 7-1 overall and 5-1 in region play. The Eagles travel to Carbon Hill on Friday, Oct. 23, for their final region game.
