Freeport Edges Hornets

9/4/08
By: Clint Cox

There was plenty of orange and blue on the field as Freeport came to Cottondale last Thursday night and went home with a 37-32 win over the Hornets in a pre-season kickoff classic. Both squads sport orange and blue on the school colors and the orange and blue clad Bulldogs struck first in this contest. They returned the opening kickoff to the Hornet’s 15 yard line. The Hornet defense held for 3 downs but on a 4th and short play, Freeport struck with a 17 yard scoring strike.
Cottondale gave up an interception during their first possession on a 4th down play. The Bulldogs took that interception and returned it to the Hornet 23 yard line. Again the Hornet defense held for 3 downs and again the Bulldogs came up with a big play on 4th down to score. They then converted on a 2 point play to make it 15-0 midway through the first quarter. On the Hornet’s next possession halfback Jacob Herring connected with wide receiver Terry Benbow on a halfback pass. Benbow then raced 74 yards for the Hornets first score. Dominique Webb added the two point conversion run to make it 15-8 at the close of the quarter. The Hornets then held Freeport on their next possession and forced a punt. The Hornets drove down the field and scored on a 29 yard pass from Jesse Freeman to Benbow. Noreese Williams gave the Hornets a 16-15 lead with a two point conversion run.
Freeport countered with a long return on the ensuing kickoff and then struck paydirt on their first play with a touchdown pass. They converted the two point play to take a 23-16 lead. Cottondale had one more shot in the half after Ronnie Dixon recovered a Bulldog fumble. But the Hornets could not cash in and trailed by 7 at the half.
After a scoreless third quarter Freeport expanded their lead early in the final quarter with a 40 yard screen pass. After kicking the extra point they led 30-16. Cottondale kept battling and took their next possession down to the Bulldog’s 30 yard line. On a 4th and 1 play Webb bolted through the line and raced to the end zone. Williams added the two point run to make it a 30-24 ball game with 8 minutes to play. The Hornets could not cash in on two more possessions and then the Bulldogs put up one final score with less than two minutes to play. The Hornets again proved they would not roll over and moved the ball downfield on a 35 yard pass play from Freeman to James Johns. Freeman then hooked up with Drew Bellamy for a 15 yard score with 6 seconds to play. Freeman added a two point conversion run to make the final 37-32.
Cottondale opens up the 2008 regular season when they host Sneads on Friday night at 7 pm.