KIMBERLY, Ala. – The Cullman Bearcats looked to get their first win under head coach Oscar Glasscock on Friday as they traveled to Kimberly to take on Mortimer Jordan. In what was a defensive affair, the Bearcats fell just short at the end in a 20-17 game that saw both teams pull out all the stops down the stretch.
On its first series, Cullman’s defense looked for a stop on a third-and-12 from the 47, but a roughing the passer flag would hurt them later in the drive as the Blue Devils threw a 13-yard touchdown pass to put them on the board first with 8:46 remaining in the opening period. Each defense forced a punt on the next couple of series, but the Bearcats converted a huge third down on their next drive, as Max Dueland found Jake Dueland for a nine-yard pass play. Then Jaylen Hughey found a big hole on the right side of the line and scored on a 70-yard run to tie the game up at seven with 4:08 remaining in the quarter.
The defense came up with a huge turnover on the next series as Dustin Speake picked off a pass at the 46. Then a pass interference penalty on the first play put the Bearcats at the 31. After getting a first down, they settled for a 35-yard field goal, which was blocked, keeping the score tied at seven after one.
Cullman got the ball back after a punt by Mortimer Jordan. Big passes from Dueland to Isaiah Jones for 17 and eight yards later on in the drive, put the Bearcats in field goal position, as Brody Adams nailed a 27-yard field goal to give them a 10-7 lead with 7:25 remaining in the half. The Bearcats coughed the ball up on their next series, but their defense forced a punt, and the score still stayed at 10-7 at the half.
The Bearcats were forced to punt on their opening possession of the second half, and Mortimer Jordan needed just six plays to find the end zone as a three-yard touchdown run put them back in front, 14-10, with 8:37 remaining in the third period. Another Cullman punt put the Blue Devils in great field position at the 47 and they got off to a fast start, quickly getting to the seven on three plays, but a holding penalty halted their drive and Cullman’s Drew Ball recovered a fumble later in the drive.
Jayden Sullins touched the ball on the first four plays of the ensuing series, including converting a huge fourth down on a fake punt. Some big runs and passes by Dueland, plus a couple of offsides penalties, kept the drive alive for the Bearcats. Another big pass from Dueland to Sullins netted them another first down, but were called for a personal foul after the play, putting them back at the 30. On the next play, Dueland left with a cramp and JT Blackwood stepped in his place and on the first play, he found Jones wide open on a 29-yard touchdown pass to give the Bearcats a 17-14 lead with 11:08 remaining in the game.
Cullman burned a lot of clock on their next series, but were forced to punt. A couple of passes wound up killing the Bearcats’ momentum, as the Blue Devils would find the end zone on a 14-yard touchdown pass and they took the lead right back at 20-17 with 3:39 remaining in the game. A crucial block in the back flag after the kickoff return backed Cullman up at the 12. They converted a first down during the drive, but Dueland later got sacked for a 10-yard loss, and the Bearcats wound up falling just a half-yard short on fourth down. Mortimer Jordan milked the rest of the clock and Cullman wound up falling 20-17 to move to 0-2 on the season.
Max Dueland finished the game 9/17 for 87 yards. Blackwood ended up 3-for-3 for 54 yards and a score. Hughey finished with 103 yards on 11 carries and a touchdown, while Sullins added 67 yards on 15 carries. Jones ended up with 59 yards on four receptions and a touchdown.
The Bearcats will be looking for their first win of the season in their home opener next week against Decatur.
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