By Caleb Adams

Leader Correspondent

 

ORANGEFIELD —The Hardin Hornets just outlasted the Orangefield Bobcats 22-20 in District 12-3A Division I action on the Bobcats Homecoming night.

The Hornets came back late to overcome the deficit from the Bobcat’s hot start to the game.

Orangefield (4-3, 1-3) fullback Blake Bradley led the way with 88 yards on the ground, most on the Bobcats by 40 yards plus. The Bobcat offense, late in the game, flowed through Bradley as he led the comeback attempt by the Bobcats in the final seconds of the game.

The Hornets (6-1, 3-1) one and only running back Darius White had a huge night, with 26 rushes and 196 yards on the ground. The supplement of the passing game from Marc Chivara really helped White find holes that might not have been there before. That was a giant reason the Hornets were able to win the game.

This week decided a lot for the Orangefield Bobcats and their district. The Bobcat playoff hopes clinged to the need of a win on this Friday, more so than the weeks prior, wanting a chance to make the run towards the ultimate goal of every high school football team in Texas.

The Bobcats started off right with a touchdown from Chase Broussard, from 20 yards out. After facing fourth down, the Hornets jumped early on the play and gave the Bobcats a fourth down conversion. On the next play Broussard scampered in from the 20 for the game’s first points. Orangefield lead 7-0 with 9:25 in the first quarter.

The Hornets answered with a 22-yard field goal from Layne Furlow on their opening drive. Hardin was able to drive 55 yards but couldn’t get those last five thanks to a tough defensive stop by Orangefield. The Bobcats still led 7-3 with 3:21 left in the first.

Orangefield used a trick play to score their second touchdown. Broussard caught a pitch and threw a high pass to Cooper Lowe for a six-yard touchdown. After the PAT the Bobcats had a early 14-3 lead with 11:13 left in the first half.

The Hornets got their first touchdown of the game with a 21-yard run from White. After a good passing game, White was able to run it in without much issue from the 21 and close in on the Bobcat lead. The Bobcats blocked the PAT to make the score 14-9 eight minutes left in the first half.

Marc Chivara passed to Laythen Furlow from 11 yards out to take the lead for the Hornets. After the touchdown the Hornets went for two and converted to take a one-point lead with six minutes left in the third quarter.

Hardin widened the lead with another touchdown on the ground. White would take the option pitch from Chivara to the house from 31 yards out. After the PAT went in the Hornets took a 22-14 lead with 2:50 left in the third quarter.

Orangefield, down eight, blocked a punt with just over a minute left on the opposing 11 yard line. On the back of Bradley, the Bobcats come within striking range to tie the game with a five-yard touchdown. Bradley broke multiple tackles to get in the end zone to make it 22-20 with the two-point conversion to go However, the two-point conversion pass went incomplete as the Hornets were able to hang on for the win.

The Hornets finished with 301 total yards while the Bobcats had 207. Kade Grozier added 48 yards on 12 carries for the Bobcats. Chivara finished with 83 passing yards with Trenton Dickey hauling in five passes for 62 yards.

The Bobcats will travel to first-place Woodville next week to face the Eagles while the Hornets return home to welcome in the Anahuac Panthers.