CMS 8th 'A' comeback falls short
Bullard Thurday night, falling 14-12. (Photo by John Krueger)
CENTER -- Trailing 8-6 in the third quarter, the Center 8th grade 'A' team needed a spark to get back into its game with Bullard as skies were threatening off to the northwest. The Roughriders' got a break when Darius Hill stepped in front of a would-be receiver, picked off a pass and sprinted 69 yards down the left sideline for the touchdown and a 12-8 CMS lead.
But the Roughriders couldn't hold on to their good fortune in the final quarter as Bullard managed a late touchdown and then received a break when a Center receiver dropped the potential winning touchdown pass as time expired here at Roughrider Stadium. BMS escaped with a 14-12 win.
Neither team was able to gain a substantial advantage in yardage as the 'Riders gained 90 yards on the ground and 25 through the air for 115 total yards. The Panthers managed 130 yards rushing and 137 total for the contest.
Both teams actually were effective moving the football as Bullard was 5-of-8 (62.5%) on third-down conversions, while Center was 3-of-6 (50%).
Tevin Ratcliff paced the Center ground game with 46 yards on three carries. Chavis Gregory picked up 24 yards on six attempts, while Kiounis Williams picked up 14 yards and Osiel Garcia gained five.
Center quarterback Darius Hill completed 4-of-12 passes on the night.
Center used a six-minute drive, using up the entire first-quarter clock to move out in front 6-0. The drive spanned 12 plays and was 57 yards. Gregory scored from six yards out as time expired in the opening period. Williams' two-point run came up short, but the 'Riders led 6-0.
Bullard drove the ball for a score after returning the ensuing kickoff 54 yards. The 22-yard drive ended with a five-yard run. The two-point conversion with 2:40 left in the half gave the Panthers a slim 8-6 lead at the intermission.
Hill touchdown return with 2:49 left in the third gave Center the lead back, 12-8, but Bullard moved 71 yards in 13 plays to take the lead back with 53 seconds remaining.
Center received the kickoff and quickly moved to the Panther 17. But a last-second pass was dropped, ending the upset bid for CMS.
The Roughriders 8th grade 'A' team will return to action next Thursday night when they travel to Carthage to face the Bulldogs. The game with be the final middle school game of the night, with the 7th grade starting at 5 p.m.