The Greenwood Gators fell to the Franklin Simpson Wildcats 24-20 after a last second touchdown pass.
The Franklin Simpson Wildcats drove 80 yards and scored the go ahead touchdown with 14 seconds left on the clock to lift themselves over Greenwood. Malcolm Johnson looked like he was going to pick off Jackson Caudill and end the game, but Caudill’s pass hit off of Johnson and bounced into the air. Franklin Simpson tight end Hunter Janes plucked the ball out of the sky and came down in the end zone to give the Wildcats the lead and ultimately the win.
Franklin Simpson broke the deadlock after both teams traded three and out’s on the opening possessions. The Gators were able to respond after Triston Wilson hit the corner and waltzed his way across the goal line.
Franklin Simpson didn’t leave the game tied for long. After Caudill fumbled a snap, the senior quarterback turned what could have been a five-yard loss into a huge gain. The run from Caudill set up a Carlos McKinney who punched the ball in to give Franklin Simpson the lead at the half.
Both teams kept each other in check during the third quarter before Greenwood came alive. Madison Alexander’s but the Wildcats up 10 before during the final quarter, but Jackson Adams would not give up. The junior quarterback took the ball right up the middle and all the way to the house from 62 yards out to get the men in green back in the ball game.
On the very next possession Malcolm Johnson broke loose for a 37 yard run. A 15-yard penalty after the play set up Xezayier Snorton for a short touchdown run to give the Gator’s their first lead of the ball game.
With the lead in hand and the clock under two minuets, it was up to the defense, but the Wildcat offense would not give up. Saul Brady and Jackson Caudill led Franklin Simpson down the field and with 14 seconds to play Hunter Janes broke the heart of gator fans everywhere.
Jackson Adams led the Greenwood offense with 16 carries for 121 yards and a touchdown. Through the air Adams completed two passes for 30 yards. Triston Wilson touched the ball 10 times for 38 yards and a score while Malcolm Johnson took over tailback duties and ran for 56 yards.
The Gators will leave the swamp next week and take a journey down Russellville Rd. to do battle with the Logan County Cougars. You can catch all the action live on STBN with pregame coverage beginning at 6:45 p.m. and kickoff set for 7:00 p.m.
