KIMBERLY, Ala. – The Cullman Bearcats made the drive south to Jefferson County to take on the Mortimer Jordan Blue Devils in a closely fought, non-region game that went back and forth and was eventually won by the Blue Devils 24-20.
Mortimer Jordan took the opening kickoff and looked to be driving to score when the Bearcats stopped the Blue Devils on fourth down at the Cullman 39-yard line. Cullman was pinned deep by the punt at their own 10-yard line.
On the third play, Cullman’s quarterback Tanner Gaines attempted a pass that was intercepted by Mortimer Jordan and returned by the Blue Devils to the Cullman one yard line. Two running plays by Terence Gaines gave the Blue Devils a touchdown and the lead in the first quarter. With 7:32 left in the first quarter, Mortimer Jordan lead was 7-0.
Cullman settled down on their next drive that began on their own 20-yard line. A balanced attack between Gaines’ passing and Larry Turner’s running got the Bearcats deep into Mortimer Jordan’s end of the field. The Bearcats faced a fourth and one with under two minutes left in the first quarter. Two offsides penalties against the Blue Devils allowed the drive to continue. Jackson Sessions completed the 13-play drive with a five-yard touchdown run. The successful PAT by Garrett Mobley tied the ballgame with 1:21 left in the first quarter.
The Blue Devils continued their drive into the second quarter and got the ball down to Cullman’s 31-yard line. Facing fourth and 13, an incomplete pass gave the ball over to the Bearcats.
A couple of long passes from Gaines to Nick Holland and more strong running by Turner got the Bearcats in business at the Mortimer Jordan three-yard line. Once again, the Bearcats turned to Sessions who ran into the endzone. Mobley completed the PAT and Cullman took the lead with 4:44 left in the first half 14-7.
An unsuccessful onside kick by the Bearcats gave the Blue Devils the ball on Cullman’s side of the field at the 47-yard line. The Blue Devils wasted little time in making the most of their good field position. They scored a touchdown on the fifth play of the drive on a run by Terence Gaines. With the successful PAT the game was tied heading into halftime.
Total yards in the first half reflected the close game as the Blue Devils outgained the Bearcats 168-150 yards.
Cullman took the second half kickoff at their own 32-yard line. A big pass play by the Bearcats was called back due to penalties on both teams. On the next play, the Blue Devils intercepted Gaines for the second time and took over near midfield.
A seven-play drive by the Blue Devils resulted in a 28-yard field goal. With 7:51 left in the third quarter, Mortimer Jordan took the lead 17-14 going into the fourth quarter.
Long drives were the theme of the fourth quarter. Cullman began near midfield and went on an 11-play scoring drive. Passes to Holland and Cooper Ogstad were crucial to maintaining the drive. From the two-yard line, the Bearcats once again gave the ball to Sessions for the score and his third touchdown of the game. The PAT was no good and with 6:43 left in the game, Cullman’s lead was 20-17.
Not to be outdone, the Blue Devils went on their own 10 play scoring drive. Some penalties against Cullman kept the drive alive and Gaines scored again from seven yards out. With 2:35 left in the game, the Blue Devils retook the lead 24-20.
Cullman’s Gaines took over the offense on their own 12-yard line. He went 7-of-10 to get the Bearcats near midfield but another turnover, a fumble, gave the ball over to the Blue Devils and sealed the win.
Cullman outgained the Blue Devils in total offense 199-118 total yards in the second half.
The Bearcats will return home next week to host a big region game against the Athens Eagles.
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