By Staff
Joe Holmes, Enquirer Correspondent
If they awarded points for heart and grit, the spread in Friday night's contest would have been much closer. In fact it was much closer.
After three quarters, Lamar County held only a slim 13-6 lead. The final two scores for the visitors would come on just two plays – each a Priceville offensive miscue returned by the Lamar County defense for a touchdown.
For a few moments it appeared Lamar County would have its way with the home standing Bulldogs.
Lamar County took the opening kickoff and returned it deep into Bulldog territory. On the first play from scrimmage, Lamar County quarterback Brad Barnes hooked up with Tyler Hampton for a score from 35 yards out. Devin Mixon's PAT was true and the visitors held a 7-0 lead with just 20 ticks off the first quarter clock.
After swapping possessions, Priceville answered with 45-yard drive. With senior quarterback Hunter Teague sidelined for the evening, junior Will Stevens stepped in to move the Bulldogs on completions to tight end Rand Hutchison and wide receiver Brad Helton. The 26-yard strike to Helton put six on the board with 5:25 left in the first. Helton's PAT was blocked leaving the score Lamar County 7, Priceville 6.
Lamar County posted its final offensive score on a 13-yard scamper by Eddie Nails with 1:06 left before halftime. The two-point conversion was broken up by Lonnie Sutton, leaving the score 13-6.
Priceville's swarming defense continued to hold the potent Lamar County offense at bay during the second half. Jason Hamilton, John Miller and Aaron Sawyer turned in key defensive plays to thwart Lamar County drives.
The fourth quarter would prove to be the turning point.
After pinning the Bulldogs at their own five-yard line, a Lamar County defender picked off a Stevens pass and returned it for a touchdown and a 19-6 lead with 11:46 left in the fourth.
The final Lamar County score came on a five-yard fumble return by Chris Barham at the 6:48 mark, putting the spread at 25-6.
But Priceville wasn't finished. The Bulldog defense picked up a score of its own when Hamilton scrambled to fall on a Lamar County fumble in the end zone and give the visitors the ball back.
Helton's PAT was blocked once again leaving the final margin at 25-12 with 3:01 left.
Priceville will look to pick up its first win of the season this Friday when Holly Pond visits.