CULLMAN, Ala. – After dropping their season opener at Bob Jones last week, the Bearcats were back home at Oliver Woodard Stadium playing on Mark Britton Field Friday night and they bounced back in a big way against Mortimer Jordan. Cullman racked up nearly 300 yards on the ground, led by Cooper Loftin with 207 and three touchdowns, en route to a 35-14 win over the Blue Devils.
Cullman received the opening kickoff and methodically worked its way deep into Blue Devils territory, but a fumble cut the drive short and gave the ball to Mortimer Jordan on its own 11-yard line early in the first quarter. The Blue Devils were forced to punt just a few plays later and the Bearcats finished their next drive in the end zone. A 7-yard touchdown run by quarterback Preston Gay put the ‘Cats on top 6-0 just before the start of the second quarter.
Mortimer Jordan drove down into field goal range on its ensuing possession, but Cullman was able to block the kick and take over near their own 40-yard line with nine minutes to play in the first half. However, an interception on the next play gave the ball right back to the Blue Devils and they were able to take advantage of the turnover. They put together their first scoring drive of the night and took a 7-6 lead over the Bearcats midway through the second quarter.
Cullman was able to answer the Blue Devils later in the second quarter when Loftin scored his first touchdown of the night from 3 yards out and Gay punched in the two-point conversion to give Cullman a 14-7 lead. The Bearcats went into the locker room with a 7-point lead over Mortimer Jordan at the halftime break.
After forcing a punt from the Blue Devils at the start of the third quarter, Cullman continued to move the ball on the ground. Loftin finished another scoring drive with a 1-yard touchdown run midway through the third quarter and JD Ellerbee split the uprights with his extra point attempt to put the ‘Cats ahead 21-7. Cullman was forced to punt later in the third, but the punt was muffed by the Blue Devils and recovered by the Bearcats near midfield. Unfortunately, Cullman was picked off on the next play and unable to take advantage of the field position.
The Bearcats maintained a 21-7 lead when the fourth quarter began but Loftin took a handoff 48 yards for a touchdown, his third of the night, to stretch Cullman’s lead to 28-7 with 11 minutes remaining in the game. Mortimer Jordan’s next possession ended in a turnover on downs and the ‘Cats took advantage of the short field, extending the lead to 35-7 on a 15-yard touchdown run by Stevie Prologo with just over three minutes to play. The Blue Devils managed to find the end zone one more time in the final seconds of the game, but it was too little, too late and Cullman improved to 1-1 on the season with a 35-14 win over Mortimer Jordan.
In addition to Loftin’s big night on the ground, Gay finished 9/15 through the air with 114 yards. Cooper Ogstad was the leading receiver with 44 yards on three catches.
The Bearcats will be back home next week to host a regional matchup against Athens.
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