MEDINA, TENN. – For a brief minute, it looked as though the Christian County Colonels’ football team was going to pull off the shocker of the weekend.
But a couple of costly second-half turnovers and penalties helped host South Gibson, Tenn., rally from an 18-15 halftime deficit to hold off the Colonels 29-18 Friday night.
Playing in a driving rain most of the night, the Colonels (0-3) were bent on ruining the Hornets’ homecoming festivities.
After a good first half in which he completed 9-of-12 passes for 155 yards, Christian County quarterback Jaiden Williams was picked off by the Hornets’ Drey Scott on the second pass attempt of the third quarter. Scott returned the ball to the Colonels’ 31-yard line.
However, the Christian County defense stiffened and stopped the Hornets (3-1) on fourth-and-goal from the Colonel 3-yard line. But, Williams fumbled on the next play and the ball was recovered by South Gibson’s Nathan Wallace in the end zone. The first of two Max McGowan extra-point kicks gave the Hornets a 22-18 lead with 6:30 to play in the third quarter.
Midway through the fourth quarter, Christian County was called for a personal foul after a long punt return that set the Hornets up at the Colonels’ 19-yard line. Two plays later, Matthew Howell sealed the win with a 10-yard run. With McGowan’s kick, the lead ballooned to 29-18 with 5:28 to play.
The Colonels managed only three first downs in the second half against the South Gibson defense, which was led by 6-foot-5, 260-pound defensive end Yahya Gaad, who is expected to sign with Mississippi State. The Hornets played without 6-4, 230-pound linebacker Gabe Lovorn, who is expected to sign with Ole Miss. He sat out the game with a knee injury.
It was a stark contrast from the first half when the Colonels earned nine first downs and scored three times.
After Cade Beaver’s 2-yard run on the first play of the second quarter gave the Hornets a 6-0 advantage with 11:54 to go in the half, the Colonels struck quick on a 54-yard scoring pass from Williams to Josh Bridges to tie the game with 10:04 left in the half.
Tyshaun Jeter put the Hornets back in front 12-6 on a 5-yard run with 8:58 to go in the second quarter.
But Williams found Aiden Jesse behind the defense for a 45-yard scoring pass with 7:13 to go in the half to tie the game at 12.
South Gibson looked to be driving for the go-ahead touchdown, but Scott fumbled and Christian County’s CJ Banks scooped up the loose ball at the Colonels’ 12. Three plays later, Williams found Jesse for an 18-yard score to give the Colonels an 18-12 lead with 33 seconds left in the half. The score was set up by an electrifying 52-yard run by Zyon Wharton.
Unfortunately for the Colonels, Sebastian Brady returned the ensuing kickoff to the Colonels’ 29-yard line and McGowan booted a 23-yard field goal as time expired for the halftime score.
Williams finished the night 15-of-27 for 214 yards and three touchdowns. He also rushed 19 times for 53 yards. Jesse caught nine passes for 113 yards. Christian County had 338 total yards of offense.
South Gibson’s Jaydon Reed led all rushers with 136 yards on 19 carries as the Hornets had 287 total yards of offense.
Christian County returns to action Sept. 21 against Murray at the Stadium of Champions.
Score by quarters:
Christian County 0 18 0 0-18
South Gibson 0 15 7 7-29
Scoring:
SG: Cade Beaver, 2-yard run; PAT failed.
CC: Jaiden Williams, 54-yard pass to Josh Bridges; PAT blocked.
SG: Tyshaun Jeter, 5-yard run; PAT failed.
CC: Williams, 45-yard pass to Aiden Jesse; PAT blocked.
CC: Williams, 18-yard pass to Jesse; Tyler Stokes, kick.
SG: Max McGowan, 23-yard field goal.
SG: Nathan Wallace, fumble recovery; McGowan, kick.
SG: Matthew Howell, 10-yard run; McGowan, kick.
Photo by Joe Wilson