Hornets Win Wild One

9/11/08
By: Clint Cox

Rivalries are suppose to be crazy affairs and this past Friday night’s version of the annual kickoff rivalry between Cottondale and Sneads was all that and more. The Hornets pulled out a thrilling 32-24 victory over the visiting Pirates.
The game started out with the Pirate’s Michael Kinard recording an early safety on the Hornets. Taylor Edge then ran for a touchdown and the Pirates took an 8-0 lead. Late in the first half the Hornets countered as Nick Jackson hauled in a 26 yard pass reception from Jesse Freeman for a score. Dominique Webb ran in the two point conversion play and the Hornets had tied the game at 8-8. But the Pirates quickly reclaimed the momentum in the final minute of the half as Mark Lawson bolted 58 yards on the ensuing kickoff for a score. Sneads held a 14-8 lead at the half.
Cottondale came out and took the opening possession of the second half right down the field. Noreese Williams scored on a 1 yard run and then Freeman hit Jacob Herring on a two point pass play to give the Hornets a 16-14 lead. The Pirates reclaimed the lead in a most unusual way. They got back to back safeties as the Pirate’s Billy Knight tackled Herring in the endzone to tie the game up. On the Hornet’s next possession a snap on a punt attempt went over the head of Herring and through the end zone. That gave Sneads a 18-16 lead as the game had now moved into the fourth quarter. The Pirates Jeff Davis
The Pirates drove down the field and appeared poised to expand their lead but coughed up the ball at the Hornet’s five yard line. Cottondale recovered and Jackson ripped off a 69 yard run for a score. Williams added the two point run to tie the game at 24-18. Sneads fired right back as Jeff Davis scored on a 42 yard run to tie the game at 24-24 with less than two minutes to play. But the Hornets would not die and they marched down the field and with less than 10 seconds remaining in the game, Freeman hit Jackson on a 21 yard scoring strike. Webb added the two point run to make the final score 32-24 in the Hornets favor.
Freeman was 14-30 for 181 yards and two TDs on the night while Jackson caught two TD passes and ran for another. Sneads was led by Davis with 170 yards rushing and Lawson with 152 yards rushing. Edge also had a fine night punting as had 5 punts for 164 yards and continually kept the Hornets backed up deep in their own territory.
Cottondale will host Liberty County on Friday night while Sneads will have this week off and play host to Franklin County next Friday night in their district opener.