CULLMAN, Ala. – Playing to maintain spots in AHSAA Class 6A, Region 7 playoff picture, the two teams tied for the third and fourth spots in the Region met at Oliver Woodard Stadium Friday night. The Athens Golden Eagles traveled south to Cullman to take on the Bearcats and a last second play by Athens secured the win as they beat the Bearcats 34-28 on a cool Friday night.
Athens took over on their own 15-yard line thanks to holding call on the kickoff return. The Golden Eagles began a long drive and looked to be taking control of the game early. Hard running by Silas Jones and timely passing by quarterback Brogan Cross had the Golden Eagles deep in Bearcat territory. A false start penalty helped disrupt the drive and Cullman’s defense forced a fourth down at the Cullman 35-yard line. Athens lined up appearing to be running a play when Gross quick-kicked and pinned Cullman on their own four-yard line.
After three plays, Cullman was forced to punt. A short punt and nice return gave Athens the ball on Cullman’s 21-yard line. On the second play of the drive, it appeared that Athens had scored on a touchdown pass. A holding penalty against the Golden Eagles negated the score and backed Athens up to the 23-yard line. On the next play, Gross threw a touchdown pass to John McIntyre with 4:26 left in the first quarter. The successful PAT made the score 7-0 Athens.
A six-play drive by Cullman was hampered by a sack and forced Cullman to punt. Once again Athens was handed great field position on the Cullman 40-yard line. Three passes from Gross and the Golden Eagles were in the endzone again when Johnson Speegle caught a 13-yard touchdown pass. With 45.5 seconds left in the first quarter, the Golden Eagles extended their lead to 14-0.
Going into the second quarter, Cullman looked to be mounting a strong drive deep into Golden Eagle territory when they intercepted Tanner Gaines and took over on their own 13-yard line. After a couple of pass completions by Gross, Jones broke off a 62-yard touchdown run. It looked like Athens was in complete control as they extended their lead to 21-0 with 5:13 left to go in the first half.
Taking over on their own 33-yard line, Cullman needed to put some points on the board to stop Athens having a shutout at halftime. Gaines went 4-of-6 passing and completed a nine-yard touchdown pass to Wyatt Buchanan. Garrett Mobley was successful on the PAT and Cullman cut the lead to 21-7.
Not wanting to take a knee and run out the clock to halftime, Athens proceeded to drive to an apparent score. Aided by an unsportsmanlike penalty against Cullman, the Golden Eagles attempted a touchdown pass that was incomplete. As time expired, Athens attempted a 37-yard field goal that was blocked by Cullman.
Cullman started the second half with good field position near midfield. Eight plays and the Bearcats were in business on the 29-yard line of Athens. Quarterback Gaines dropped back to pass and threw a backward pass to Preston Gay who spotted a wide-open Jackson Sessions running down the other side of the field and completed a 28-yard pass. On the next play, Sessions completed the drive with a one-yard touchdown run. With 7:25 left in the third quarter, Cullman was within one touchdown of Athens 21-14.
Athens once again looked to driving for a score when they faced fourth down deep in Cullman territory. The defense for Cullman stiffened and forced the Golden Eagles to attempt a 29-yard field goal. Once again, the Bearcats blocked the field goal and turned Athens away with no points.
Another interception by Athens gave them the ball at the Cullman 34-yard line. They wasted little time as Gross completed a touchdown pass on the first play to Caiden Dumas. With 3:47 left in the third quarter, Athens led 28-14.
Taking over at their own 33-yard line, Cullman looked to answer the score by Athens. On the fifth play of the drive, it appeared that Athens had gotten another turnover on an apparent interception. A defensive holding penalty negated the interception and gave Cullman a first down. Facing a fourth-and-10 from the Athens 22-yard line, Gaines completed a pass to Gay very close to first down line. Both sides held their breath as the officials had to measure with the chains. When the chain marker was placed down to the ball, Cullman had a first down by inches. The nose of the football barely cleared the first down line. Four plays later, Samuel Mayhair scored from four yards out on a run and with 11:33 left in the ballgame, the lead for Athens was 28-21.
The stage was set for an exciting finish. Athens looked to put the game away and Cullman looked to at least tie the game. Taking over at their own 20-yard line, the Golden Eagles wanted to put together a game ending drive. Aided by a couple of big penalties against Cullman, the Eagles completed a 12-play drive when Gross had a one-yard touchdown run. The PAT bounced off the left upright and was no good. The Athens lead was now 34-21 and the Golden Eagles looked to be in control with 6:27 left in the game.
Cullman managed a seven-play drive that ended on a fourth down incomplete pass. Athens took over at their own 35 and looked to be in position to run out the clock. The Golden Eagles managed to run the clock down some before being forced to punt.
Cullman got the ball on their own 34-yard line. After an incomplete pass by Gaines, he completed his next four passes to Buchanan for a touchdown. The final pass was seven yards for the score. The successful PAT gave the Bearcats hope as they were within six points of the Golden Eagles with 1:34 left in the fourth quarter.
The only hope for the Bearcats would be a successful onside kick. The ball bounced about 12 yards and was recovered by Cullman with 1:30 remaining on the clock. On the first play, Athens intercepted the pass and sealed the win 34-28.
Cullman finished the night with 378 total yards on offense. Cullman hosts Columbia next week at home.
For the playoffs, one win by Cullman in the next two Region games and one loss by Decatur in the next two Region games and the Bearcats will be assured of being in the playoffs as they hold the tiebreaker over the Red Raiders.
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