By Alex Chaney, Sports Correspondent
Glencoe and Hokes Bluff battled through three scoreless quarters before the Eagles rallied in the fourth quarter to earn a 14-7 victory over the Yellow Jackets.
Glencoe received the opening kickoff and used its strong running game to move down the field. However, Hokes Bluff ended the drive by intercepting Glencoe’s first pass attempt.
The Yellow Jackets put together another promising possession but lost the ball on a fumble recovered by Hokes Bluff’s Bubba Leatherwood.
The first quarter ended in a scoreless tie, and neither team found the end zone in the second or third quarters. Hokes Bluff’s defense came up with several key stops inside the 10-yard line to keep Glencoe off the scoreboard.
Glencoe finally broke through with 9:51 remaining in the fourth quarter. Quarterback Jayman Mince threw a pass to senior receiver Bryce Borntrager, who ran it in for a touchdown. The extra point was good, giving the Yellow Jackets a 7-0 lead.
Hokes Bluff answered with 7:17 remaining. Quarterback Dean Morgan connected with freshman receiver Javin Norman in the end zone. Despite tight coverage from a Glencoe defender, Norman made the catch for the touchdown. The extra point tied the game at 7.
The teams traded possessions as the clock wound down, setting up a dramatic finish.
With little time remaining and plenty of yardage to cover, Hokes Bluff faced a crucial third-down situation. Fullback Brennan Ward took the snap and pushed through Glencoe’s defensive line to gain enough yardage for a first down.
Morgan then connected with his favorite target, Norman, on a pass that moved the Eagles into field-goal range with 10 seconds remaining.
A false-start penalty pushed Hokes Bluff back 5 yards, but the Eagles remained within range for kicker Allen Cox. Hokes Bluff lined up for the field goal before surprising the crowd with a fake.
Morgan, serving as the holder, took the snap and rolled to his right before finding a wide-open Cole Cochran for the go-ahead touchdown. The extra point was good, putting Hokes Bluff ahead 14-7.
With only seconds remaining, Glencoe made two attempts to pull off a last-second comeback. The Yellow Jackets completed a pass for a first down, and it initially appeared the clock had expired. However, officials stopped the clock to move the chains, giving Glencoe time for one final play.
Glencoe completed a short pass and attempted to lateral the ball to other players. The play ended when a Yellow Jackets ball carrier was ruled down before completing a lateral. Hokes Bluff appeared to recover the ball and return it for a touchdown, but the score was called back.
The final whistle confirmed a 14-7 victory for Hokes Bluff.
Glencoe continues to hold the overall series advantage, but the victory marked the Eagles’ 11th consecutive win over the Yellow Jackets.
The game carried major playoff implications for both teams, with the winner advancing to the postseason and the loser staying home. Hokes Bluff’s victory, combined with an earlier win over Vinemont, secured the Eagles the No. 3 playoff spot.
