ATHENS, Ala. – After winning a thriller over Mortimer Jordan at home last week, the Bearcats were back on the road Friday night for a massive Region 7 battle at Athens. With their playoff hopes on the line, the ‘Cats put together an impressive offensive performance and raced past the Golden Eagles 35-23.
Athens picked up big gains on the ground to drive deep down into Bearcat territory on its opening possession, but Cullman’s defense held the Eagles out of the end zone and limited them to a short field goal, making it a 3-0 game early in the first quarter. The ‘Cats were forced to punt on their opening drive but got the ball back later in the first. Facing third-and-12, quarterback Ryan Skinner hit Nate Zills for a 13-yard gain to move the chains.
A few plays later, Tyler Owens took a handoff up the middle for a couple yards to convert fourth-and-one. Finally, Skinner took a direct snap and cut back against the defense to score from 15 yards out, capping off a drive that started with a little over three minutes to play in the first quarter. Garrett Mobley’s extra point was good, and the Bearcats took a 7-3 lead with just under eight minutes remaining in the first half.
Athens responded with a scoring drive of its own, running one into the end zone from 6 yards out to reclaim a 10-7 lead over Cullman with 3:42 on the clock in the second quarter. However, the Eagles weren’t the last team to score in the half. The Bearcats answered with another great drive that was extended by an Athens personal foul and ended with a 1-yard touchdown run by Owens, putting the ‘Cats back in front 14-10 going into the locker room at the break.
Cullman received the kick to start the second half, but a tipped ball interception ended the possession early and put the Eagles’ offense back on the field. Following an Athens punt, the Bearcats got the ball back deep in their own territory, but a 45-yard run by Owens moved Cullman all the way out to the Eagles’ side of the 50. That’s when some of the stadium lights went out, causing a delay in the game midway through the third quarter. Once the lights were turned back on and we were able to resume play, Owens burst up the middle and scored from 27 yards out on the first play out of the stoppage to make it a 21-10 game with just under six minutes remaining in the third.
Athens moved the ball into Bearcats territory on the ensuing possession but on a fourth-and-eight play from Cullman’s 22-yard line, Sawyer Trimble intercepted a tipped ball to keep the Eagles out of the end zone and give the ball back to the offense with a little over two minutes to play in the third. Athens regained possession just before the end of the third quarter and finished a scoring drive with a 7-yard touchdown pass to trim the lead to 21-16 with around nine minutes to play in the game.
The ’Cats answered, and pieced together another impressive scoring drive, highlighted by a 21-yard pass from Skinner to Nick Holland and capped off by a 1-yard touchdown run by L.J. Turner. Mobley’s extra point attempt split the uprights and Cullman stretched its lead to 28-16 with six minutes remaining in the final frame.
The Eagles refused to lay down and cut the lead to 28-23 with an 18-yard touchdown pass on their next possession, making it a 5-point game with just under three minutes on the clock. The ‘Cats recovered the ensuing onside kick and after a pair of runs by Skinner set up a third-and-one situation, Owens took a handoff off right tackle and went 43 yards untouched to the end zone to put Cullman in front 35-23 with 2:30 remaining in regulation. Just a few plays later, a Tiger Flanigan interception sealed the win for the black & gold.
Skinner completed nine of his 16 pass attempts for 98 yards in the win and added 93 yards and a touchdown on the ground. Owens racked up 156 yards and three touchdowns to lead the way on the ground and L.J. Turner posted a touchdown for the Bearcats as well.
Cullman improves to 5-2 with the win and the ‘Cats will be back home next week for another Region 7 matchup against Columbia.
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