‘Canes Lose at Home
In spite of being penalized 16 times for a total of 100 yards and only picking up four first downs, the Hancock County Bulldogs still managed to squeak out a 15-12 win over the ‘Canes last Friday night at Rose Bowl field.
After faltering in the first drive the ‘Canes had to punt, but B.J. Ross recovered a Bulldog fumble and the ‘Canes were right back in business on the Bulldog 34 yard line.
Unable to take advantage of the turnover, the ‘Canes had to punt again, but did pin the Bulldogs back on their own 11 yard line.
The Bulldogs couldn’t move the ball and once again the ‘Canes were knocking on the door on the Bulldog 26 when they fumbled the ball over.
After forcing another Bulldog punt the ‘Canes moved the ball deep into Bulldog territory and were just 15 yards from paydirt when the Bulldogs intercepted a pass on the five yard line, and once again the ‘Canes failed to put points on the board.
The Bulldogs ran for one first down, completed a 48 yard pass to the ‘Cane 36, and three plays later completed a touchdown pass, went for two on the extra point attempt and led 8-0 with 3:50 left in the half.
On the first play after the kick off the ‘Canes fumbled the ball right back over to the Bulldogs on their own 43, but did manage to hold defensively until the first half ended.
The ‘Canes came out fired up in the second half, forced the Bulldogs into a punt situation, sacked the punter and took over the ball on the Bulldog 30 yard line.
Three plays later, on fourth down and four, the ‘Canes went for it and got their first down on the Bulldog 17 yard line. After another first down and a face mask penalty on the Bulldogs, it was first and goal on the three. Ross took it straight up the middle for a ‘Cane touchdown. The two point attempt was not good and the ‘Canes trailed 8-6 with 6:34 remaining in the third quarter.
The Bulldogs put their best drive together on the next series and drove to the ‘Cane 34 yard line before the defense stiffened and Derek Campbell recovered a fumble for the ‘Canes. The ‘Canes were forced to punt again, but Keldrick Davis intercepted a Bulldog pass on the ‘Cane 35 yard line.
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Two plays later the Bulldogs intercepted a pass and run it back to the ‘Cane 19 yard line. The ‘Cane defense put up a valiant effort, but nine plays later the Bulldogs punched it over from the one-half yard line, kicked the extra point and led 15-6 with 6:20 remaining in the game.
With 4:50 remaining, on fourth down and 10 on the Bulldog 47 yard line, the ‘Canes picked up a first down on a 13 yard pass to Caleb Reynolds. Three plays later Reynolds gathered in a 32 yard pass in the end zone for a touchdown. The extra point kick was no good, but the ‘Canes had cut the lead to 15-12.
The ‘Canes got one last opportunity to win the game, but couldn’t convert on a fourth and 15 with just seconds remaining in the game.
Athletic Director and Head Football Coach Jimmy Hughes said, “We’re not real good at finishing right now, but we did get ourselves in a position to win. We just didn’t close the deal. It wasn’t because those kids weren’t trying to close it though. They played hard and I told them after the game that it wasn’t any fun to lose, but it was a pleasure to coach a group of kids who play so hard and with such passion. I suppose the good thing is they’re learning something besides football out there.”
It doesn’t get any easier for the ‘Canes who are scheduled to travel to Lincolnton tomorrow night to play the Lincoln County Red Devils, who are 4-0 and ranked number one in the state in the coaches poll and number three by the media.
Coach Hughes had a few things to say about this week’s opponent.
“They shut out Aquinas, Washington-Wilkes and McCormick, S.C., and they only gave up seven points in their other game. They have an outstanding defense with three big guys up front and two linebackers that attack. I talked to Coach Campbell last week and again on Saturday and he claims they are not very good. I would say that too if my team was 4-0.
“He also claims they only have three starters returning, but after reviewing some of their tapes it looks like they have three back on offense and four or five back on defense. He does a good job of down playing his team.
“We are going to do what we do, and try to keep the game close, which will be difficult because they have a lot of weapons. We’ll have to be real consistent with the ball, protect it and find a way to throw it. We’ll be outsized. Their front four go about 250 to 265. We don’t have anybody that big.
“But if we can come out and give an effort like we did last Friday maybe we can make it a game. That’s all we’ll be looking to do, is get into the second half or the fourth quarter with a chance to win. We’ll continue to have several people taking snaps and we’ll have a few little new wrinkles.”
SCORE BY QUARTER
1 2 3 4 T
Monticello 0 0 6 6 12
Hancock 0 8 0 7 15
The varsity ‘Canes are now 1-3, and Hancock Central is 3-1.
JV ‘Canes
The JV ‘Canes played Hancock Central in Sparta last Thursday and lost another close one 16-14 The team went for 2 points to tie the game but didn’t make it. The team is scheduled to play in Social Circle today at 5 p.m.