Photo: Hokes Bluff’s Leon Chen (right) kicks a 24-yard field goal as Conner Masters holds during the Eagles’ 24-21 victory over Westbrook Christian on September 16 in Rainbow City. (Courtesy of Alex Chaney)
Leon Chen’s 24-yard field goal with two minutes remaining in the game held up as the winning score in Hokes Bluff’s 24-21 victory over Westbrook Christian on September 16 in Rainbow City.
The Eagles (2-2, 1-1) had to weather a late Warrior rally attempt after Westbrook answered Chen’s score with a 10-play, 91-yard drive that culminated in Mason Coley’s 48-yard touchdown pass to Karmichael Cattling with 13 seconds left. Layten Crawford pushed through the extra point to draw the Warriors within three points.
But Hokes Bluff quarterback Conner Masters covered the ensuing onside kick, securing the Eagles’ fourth straight win in the five-game series between the two teams.
Hokes Bluff junior halfback Noah Sprayberry had a big night, rushing for 186 yards and a touchdown on 22 carries. Masters was 4 for 8 in passing for 37 yards and a touchdown. Jaylen Simmons and Cole Stone each had two catches.
Simmons led the way on defense with seven tackles, followed by Anderson Morgan with five. Simmons and Dilan Lancaster each had a sack.
Westbrook (3-1, 1-1) took the early lead on Coley’s 8-yard touchdown pass to Cattling at 4:14 of the first quarter.
Masters and Simmons hooked up for a 12-yard touchdown pass at 8:39 of the second tied the game.
Hokes Bluff regained the lead a few minutes later on Coley’s 9-yard scoring pass to Caleb McCarty, but Hokes Bluff responded with a 12-yard TD run by Sprayberry to send the teams into halftime tied at 14-14.
The Eagles regained the advantage midway through the third period on Masters’ 8-yard touchdown run, and Chen’s field goal five minutes later provided Hokes Bluff with a 10-point cushion.
Coley was 18 for 33 in passing for 243 yards and three touchdowns. Cattling had five receptions for 67 yards, Hugh Windle caught four passes for 69 yards and Steven Barnes had three receptions for 65 yards. Cattling finished with 66 rushing yards on 13 carries.
Both teams step out of region play this Friday (Sept. 23). Hokes Bluff hosts White Plains, while
Westbrook entertains Section.