CULLMAN, Ala. – Cullman made its second straight appearance in the 6A state playoffs Friday night when it hosted the Mounties of Shades Valley and after a nip and tuck contest that came down to the final moments, the Bearcats’ season came to an end with a 28-14 loss in the first round of the postseason. The ‘Cats and Mounties were tied at 14 with less than two minutes to play and a pair of late touchdowns lifted Shades Valley to a 28-14 win.
Things started about as well as they could have for Cullman. Jaylen Hughey took a direct snap and burst up the middle for 49 yards on the first play of the game. Just a few snaps later, Max Dueland capped off the scoring drive by sneaking one across the goal line from a yard out to put the Bearcats on top 7-0 with just under 10 minutes remaining in the first quarter. After both teams exchanged punts on their next two possessions, Shades Valley came up with an answer. The Mounties scored from 35 yards out on a toss play to tie things up at 7 late in the opening quarter.
After another Cullman punt, Shades Valley retook possession and was putting together what looked to be another scoring drive until Jaden Kay leaped up from his safety position and intercepted a pass over the middle to give the ball back to the Bearcats near midfield with nine minutes to play in the first half. Cullman was able to keep the Mounties out of the end zone but missed a 47-yard field goal attempt to keep things knotted at 7 going into the halftime break.
Shades Valley came out of the locker room hot to start the third quarter, driving down the field and punching in a 1-yard touchdown run to go on top 14-7 with just under seven minutes to play in the third. The ‘Cats were forced to punt on their ensuing possession but a nice stop from the defense gave the ball right back to the black and gold offense. That’s when Cullman put together another drive. Runs from Hughey and Jake Dueland got the Bearcats deep into Mounties territory and Max Dueland finished the drive with a 20-yard touchdown pass to Kaleb Heatherly that brought Cullman within a point of Shades Valley. A false start backed up the extra point, but Brody Adams knocked it through to tie the game at 14 with just over eight minutes to play.
Unfortunately for the Cullman faithful in the stands, the Mounties had another scoring drive in them, and it would kill most of the remaining time on the clock. After methodically working its way into ‘Cats territory, Shades Valley connected on a 32-yard pass down to the 4-yard line with around three minutes remaining. The Bearcats kept the Mounties out on first, second and third down but on fourth and goal with 1:29 to play, Shades Valley pushed the ball across the goal line for a touchdown pull ahead 21-14 late in the game. On the first play of the ensuing Cullman possession, the Mounties picked off a pass over the middle and returned it down the 1-yard line to retake possession with first and goal and just over a minute in the game. Shades Valley scored on the next play and iced the 28-14 win over Cullman to advance to the next round of the state playoffs. The Bearcats finish the 2020 season 8-3 after the loss.
Hughey led the ‘Cats on the ground with 102 yards on 12 carries, followed by Jake Dueland with 37 yards. Jamar Kay added 33 rushing yards and Max Dueland completed four of his seven passes for 34 yards, a touchdown and an interception in the loss.
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