ADDISON, Ala. — Addison hosted their biggest rival and county foe, Winston County High School, on Friday night at beautiful A.G. Hicks Stadium and the Yellow Jackets were not very good guests. WCHS took home an exciting, 14-8 last-second victory over the Dawgs. This game was a throwback game that Vince Lombardi and Bear Bryant would have loved. It featured two teams running the ball on almost every play, but the game was won with a last second pass.
Addison got the ball first and drove down to the Jacket 15-yard line, but the offense stalled, and the Dawgs were unable to punch it in giving the Jackets the ball at their own 20 with 7:42 to go in the first quarter.
This is where the fun began for the Jackets. The Winston County offensive line totally outclassed the Bulldog defense all night long. Holes were opened that hadn’t been there for the Dawgs previous four games. The Jackets were guaranteed three, four and six-yard every time they rushed the ball. WCHS ran nineteen straight running plays and drove 80-yards for the Jacket touchdown. Ryker Morgan took it in, untouched, from the one-yard line for the score. The two-point conversion was good and at the 10:17 mark of the second quarter, WCHS led 8-0.
The Bulldogs answered right back on their next possession as Freshman QB Jed “Wizard” Wilkins, making his first start for the injured Christian Roberts, dashed in from 34-yards out for the apparent touchdown. A holding penalty took the six-points off the board and Addison later fumbled the ball away ending the drive.
The half ended with WCHS holding the slim 8-0 lead.
Addison Head Coach David Smothers was looking to light a fire under his Dawgs, and he apparently did on their opening drive of the second half. After forcing a WCHS punt, the Dawgs went eleven plays for 64-yards and the score. The drive included a huge fourth down conversion by Will “The Thrill” Tuggle. Addison’s Justin “Rocky” Mather rambled it in from 1-yard out for the touchdown. Brody Dollar ran in the two-point conversion and the game was all tied up at 8 with 2:24 to go in the third quarter.
Both teams would fight up and down the field, moving the ball but being unable to get points. A costly penalty or turnover would end the drive and the score remained tied.
WCHS took over with 3:33 to go in the game and it looked like overtime was in the works. Neither team had been able to pass, and each team required long drives to get the few points they had. The Jackets offensive line was the difference in this game. The Jackets ran the ball seven straight times for 34 yards getting them down to the Dawg 38-yard line and they appeared to be in no hurry to throw the ball. So, with only 14 seconds remaining in the game what looked like sure overtime with another expected Jacket run ended being a Hail-Mary pass that caught the Dawg secondary surprisingly unaware. Ryker Morgan found Declyn Morgan for a 38-yard pass completion giving the Jackets the 14-8 lead with only 1.2 seconds remaining in the game. The two-point conversion was no good so all that awaited was a squib quick. An unsportsmanlike conduct penalty was called on the Jackets for celebrating on the field, so they were forced to kick off from their own 20-yard line.
Addison covered the squib kick at the Jacket 35-yard line with still only 1.2. seconds left so there was hope for the Dawg faithful. A miracle was needed, and it almost happened. Wilkins rolled to his right and threw a Hail-Mary to the endzone. “Touchdown” Tommy Lee Daniel almost lived up to his name as he made a diving attempt at the ball and had his hands on it but was unable to bring it in. It would have been a spectacular catch, but it was not to be.
WCHS took home an old school victory and more importantly crushed the Dawgs hopes for a Region championship. This game sends Addison to 3-2 on the year and 1-2 in region play. WCHS goes to 2-2 and 1-1 in region play. While the playoffs are certainly still in reach for Addison, they must improve their overall play because the schedule doesn’t get any easier. Addison travels to Good Hope while WCHS hosts Curry next Friday night.
Unofficial stats: Addison ran 31 running plays for 104 total yards. Addison had 11 pass plays for 52 total yards. Addison had 42 total plays for only 156 total yards. Addison had an astounding 10 negative yardage plays out of the 42 total plays they ran on the night.
WCHS ran 52 running plays for 239 total yards. WCHS had five pass plays for 49 total yards. WCHS had 57 total plays for 288 total yards.
Jack Wilson ran the ball three times for 45 yards. Wilson also had one catch for 10 yards. Mather had five carries for 24 yards and a touchdown. Mather also had one catch for 30 yards. Tuggle had eight carries for 26 yards.
On defense, Briley Holt had eight tackles. Mather had seven tackles. Brody Dollar had six tackles. Wilson and Hayden Holland had five tackles apiece. Isiah Treece had four tackles. Daniel and Eli “Curly” Howse had three tackles.
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