BY BRIAN HAMILTON
COALFIELD – The Carter Hornets and the Coalfield Yellow Jackets scheduled a last minute game after Carter’s original opponent Scott cancelled due to COVID-19 and Coalfield’s original opponent Oakdale also cancelled.
Instead of having a home game, the Hornets made the 47 mile trek to Coalfield just to get another game in. The game was a classic, as Carter notched a 34-30 comeback win after trailing 18-0 in the first half.
The Yellow Jackets got on the board with 9:51 left in the first quarter, as Canaan Bowling ran for a 2-yard score, giving Coalfield a 6-0 lead.
Cole Hines then ran a touchdown form six yards out, but the two-point conversion failed, giving the Yellow Jackets a 12-0 lead with 2:23 left in the first.
Coalfield increased its lead to 18-0 early in the second quarter when Hines went into the end zone for a 2-yard score with 10:18 left before halftime.
The Hornets would finally get on the board with 8:27 left in the second quarter when quarterback Chandler Wilson ran for a 4-yard score, cutting the Yellow Jackets’ lead to 18-7, which would be the halftime score.
Carter turned the ball over three times in the first half, but would receive the second half kick.
Wilson found Brody Blankenship for a 13-yard touchdown pass with 5:09 left in the third quarter. The two-point conversion attempt from Wilson to Max Bailey was successful, making the score 18-15.
Another touchdown pass from Wilson to Blankenship, this time for 48 yards, would give the Hornets their first lead of the game, at 22-18, with 2:29 left in the third.
Carter increased its lead to 28-18 on an 81-yard touchdown pass from Wilson to Kash Altom with just over 10 minutes left in the game.
Coalfield would answer back, however, as Landon Galyon hauled in a 30-yard touchdown pass from Hines. The Yellow Jackets’ extra-point attempt failed, leaving the Hornets with a 28-25 lead with 8:16 remaining in the fourth quarter.
Cole then found Galyon for a 26-yard touchdown with 1:17 left, putting the Yellow Jackets in front 30-28 after the extra-point failed.
Carter then worked the two-minute drill to perfection, as Wilson found Blankenship for a 27-yard touchdown, the duo’s third hook-up of the night, putting the Hornets in front 34-30 with just seven seconds remaining.
The Yellow Jackets were unable to do anything on the ensuing possession, as Carter held on to win a very exciting game.
The Hornets (5-1, 2-0 Class 4A Region 2) will travel to Karns (3-2, 1-1) as they look to remain unbeaten in the region. Coalfield (4-1) will host Gordonsville (5-0) this Friday.