Bearcat running back Jayden Sullins sprints away from Hartselle defenders during Cullman’s 20-7 loss to the Tigers Friday night. (Aaron Sparks)
HARTSELLE – It was a tough Friday night for the Bearcats, who just couldn’t get the offensive side of the ball moving. Their only touchdown of the game came late in the third quarter when Ezra Burks scored from 1-yard out following several big catches by Jayden Sullins. The ‘Cats fell to rival Hartselle, 20-7.
What would have been an opening-drive fumble in the end zone by Hartselle was negated by a penalty on Cullman, giving new life to the Tigers. A handful of plays later, Hartselle put up the first score of the night with a 50-yard touchdown pass to go up 7-0.
Cullman held strong on a third-down attempt deep in its own territory, forcing Hartselle to go for it on fourth-and-3. The pass was completed to keep the drive alive long enough for the Tigers to tack on a field goal that put Hartselle up 10-0 midway through the second quarter.
The ‘Cats’ backfield got things going a bit as quarterback Max Dueland, along with Sullins and Burks, drove down the field to attempt a score late in the second quarter, but they were denied, leaving the score 10-0 at the half.
Hartselle continued the offensive and defensive pressure in the second half, putting up 10 additional points, while Cullman’s Burks was able to break the plane for the ‘Cats’ only score of the night.
The Cullman defense played hard with scramble plays in the secondary from Jimnie Chau Le, Matt Brock and Dylon Wallace, but the offensive output from Hartselle was too much to contend with Friday night, and the Bearcats fell 20-7 to an unbeaten Hartselle team.
Cullman falls to 3-6 on the season (1-4 in 6A, Region 7) and will travel to Ft. Payne next Friday night.
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