lkinson tops ACHS

By

staff reports

KILN &045; This time, it looked like the Bulldogs could pull it off.

With four minutes remaining in the game against Hancock, Natchez held a 28-25 lead.

But it wasn’t to be. Hancock drove the length of the field and scored a game-winning touchdown to win 32-28, sinking a daggers into the hearts of Natchez players, coaches and fans.

The Hawks (1-3, 1-7) got their first win of the season, while the Bulldogs (0-4, 1-7) again went home empty. Hancock’s 32 points were almost as many as the Hawks had managed in their seven previous games, in which they managed just 36.

Down 25-6 at halftime, Natchez came back with two touchdowns in the third quarter. When Natchez again scored in the fourth quarter and took a three-point lead, it looked like the Bulldogs might get their second win of the season. But Hancock came back on its last offensive drive and scored, taking the win.

On the bright side for the Bulldogs, Riley Trask had perhaps the best night of his career, running for three touchdowns (including a 65-yard scoring scamper) and throwing for another to wide receiver Charles Cothern.

&uot;(Trask) was unreal,&uot; Woodard said. &uot;He was just on in the second half.&uot;

The Natchez running game also made a reappearance for the first time in weeks, as the Bulldogs moved the ball on the ground, led by the play of Trask.

As has become their pattern in recent weeks, the Bulldog offense and defense struggled in the first half before righting the ship in the second half and storming back into the game.

&uot;We’re just trying to get every part working at the same time,&uot; Woodard said. &uot;We just can’t get it all together.&uot;

Wilkinson County 30, Amite County 12

WOODVILLE &045; Wilkinson County took advantage of a big offensive line and even bigger running backs to pound the Amite County defense into submission and get a victory Friday night.

The Wilkinson running attack took charge early, racking up a 14-0 lead in the first quarter. By halftime, the Wildcats were up 22-6 and cruised through the second half.

&uot;They just pound the ball on you all night long,&uot; Amite County head coach Mo Lyles said. &uot;They put in a full-house backfield with their two big running backs and just go.&uot;

The young Trojans are building for the future. With 10 starters who play on both sides of the ball, they just didn’t have the experience or depth to contain the Wildcat runners.