By Bradley Roberts/Sand Mountain Reporter
Crossville lost a heartbreaker to the Hokes Bluff, 22-14, in Class 4A, Region 6 action on Friday at CHS.
Lion quarterback Brody White had one final shot at the end zone as the clock expired to bring the hosts within two points, but his pass fell short of wide receiver Brantley Bruce, and the Eagles (2-1, 2-0), walked away with the 22-14 victory.
In the first half, the Lions (0-3, 0-2) dominated on defense, holding the Eagles to negative rushing yards and only 71 yards passing.
On the Eagles’ first drive of the game, the Lions forced a fumble. Crossville took over at its own 30, and senior fullback Walker Hood got the offense rolling with a 14-yard run to the Lions’ 44-yard line.
As the clock ran out on the first quarter, the Lions had brought the ball down to the Hokes Bluff 1-yard line. On the first play of the second quarter, White took the quarterback keeper across the goal line and made the score 6-0 in favor of the home team with 11:54 on the clock. But a Hokes Bluff defender blocked the extra point attempt.
Crossville forced a three-and-out and took over at their own 47. Crossville marched up the field, and after a 15- yard run, White carried the ball to just inside the Eagles’ 9.
With goal to go, White’s name was called three straight times, and he found the end zone again with 3:37 remaining in the second. The two-point conversion was good, and the Lions increased their lead to 14-0.
After a Crossville punt, the Eagles took over at their own 49. Freshman quarterback Landon Johnson found wide receiver Phillip Ward on a screen pass, and Ward took it the distance for a 51-yard touchdown with 49.4 on the clock. The Eagles faked an extra point, and the two-point conversion was good.
Crossville led 14-8 at halftime.
Midway through the third quarter, Johnson completed an 11-yard play action touchdown pass to Ward. With Bradley Pruett’s PAT, Hokes Bluff went up 15-14.
On the second play of the fourth quarter White threw an interception, and Cam Dowdy ran in the Eagles final score, and the extra point made it 22-14 with 7:30 left in the game.
The Lions later found themselves with the ball and a chance to go for two and potentially take the game into overtime, but the Eagles defense stood strong.
Hokes Bluff continues region play next week at home against Etowah County neighbor Sardis.