Hollow Rock-Bruceton Central started its homecoming battle with Hickman County on a good note.
The Tigers traded blows with the visiting Bulldogs and held a 13-12 lead going into the second quarter.
However, mistakes and turnovers proved costly, moving forward, as Hickman County spoiled the Tigers’ festivities with a 31-13 victory.
Hickman County converted two Tiger turnovers into scores in the first half and, from there, Central was the pursuer.
Central dented the scoreboard early when Tate Crews, on a fourth-and-four situation, bolted 44 yards for a touchdown at the 10:24 mark. The PAT failed, but the Tigers held a 6-0 lead. Central followed that up by holding Hickman County on downs to take over possession at its own 16.
A Central fumble resulted in a scoop and score from Hickman County’s Martkavious Parker with 4:08 to play in the first. The PAT failed and the Tigers found themselves tied with Hickman County at 6.
Hickman County displayed some disorganization at times and harmed itself with ill-timed penalties. During the Tigers’ next drive, Preston Hollingsworth had two big runs to the Bulldogs 11. A Hickman County facemask penalty camped the Tigers on the 6, where Hollingsworth located Caleb Craig for a 6-yard TD pass. Landon Boyd’s extra point was good and Central led 13-6 with 3:26 to play in the first.
Hickman County mixed things up a bit, going through the air and on the ground on its next drive. With 1:51 to play in the first, Parker raced 27 yards to pay-dirt. The conversion pass failed and Central clung to a 13-12 advantage.
That’s when the clock struck 12 for the Tigers.
Hickman County fumbled on the first play of the second frame, but the Tigers gave it right back to them when Parker picked off a pass. With 10:03 to play in the half, Nathan Adler rambled 45 yards to the end zone to give the Bulldogs the lead for good. The try for two failed, but Hickman County had taken the lead, 18-13.
With 3:05 to play, Central stoned Hickman County with a goal-line stand. Then, with :03 to play in the half, Central’s Brady Roberts picked off a pass giving the Tigers one more shot. The play netted a gain, but the half ended with the Bulldogs in front 18-13.
The Bulldogs began to expand their advantage at the 8:08 mark of the third when Parker raced 44 yards to the end zone with 8:08 to play. Senior kicker Mekalie Rhoden, a girl, booted the PAT and the Bulldogs led 25-13. Central took its next drive down to the Hickman County 16 where the drive stalled.
Hickman County was a bit sloppy in the final frame and seemingly kept Central in the hunt, but with 10:10 to play, Adler darted 23 yards on a counter play to lift the Bulldogs to a 31-13 lead and that’s how it ended.
Hickman County improved to 2-4 on the year and will play at Scotts Hill next Friday. Meanwhile, Hollow Rock-Bruceton Central falls to 0-5 and will host South Fulton Friday night.
