STAFF REPORT
LORETTO — A monster first quarter and a key interception in the final minute secured the first win of the season for Cornersville as the Bulldogs outlasted Loretto in a wild shootout, 38-28.
“I was so proud of how hard we played. We came out with our hair on fire and gave it everything we had every play,” Bulldog coach Elliot Cook said.
Cornersville set the tone out of the gates when Easton Lombardi put the ‘Dawgs on the board with a 16-yard run and then successfully tacked on the conversion attempt for the 8-0 lead.
Loretto responded barely less than a minute later when Loretto quarterback Vinny Veloz connected on a 48-yard touchdown pass and the successful conversion attempt left the game tied with 9:22 to go.
And then the ‘Dawgs took over.
Cornersville went on to dominate the remainder of the quarter and got touchdown runs from Jackson Smith and Hunter Uland that put the ‘Dawgs up 21-8 by the end of the first frame.
Loretto refused to go away and again scored on a chunk play, this time coming on a 24-yard touchdown run, courtesy of Colby Brown, to pull the Mustangs back within one possession.
But as time continued to wind, Smith once again made it a two-score game in favor of the ‘Dawgs with a 42-yard field goal with 13 seconds left in the half.
Smith went to the air in the third quarter and hit Cameron Fitzpatrick on a 34-yard touchdown pass and added the point after to give the ‘Dawgs a 30-13 lead with 7:53 left.
Mirroring the Cornersville offense, Veloz struck back with 13 seconds left in the third on a 35-yard touchdown pass to Thompson for the second connection of the night that found the end zone for the Mustangs.
Things got even more interesting as the game pressed on and with 4:12 left, the Mustangs pulled within three points following a one-yard plunge into the end zone, courtesy of Colby Brown.
After the score, Loretto continued to press its attack well into Bulldog territory, but with less than a minute to go, it was senior Hunter Uland who came through with the biggest play of the night, snagging an interception and racing 85 yards to the end zone with 31 seconds left in regulation to secure the opener win for Cornersville.
The ‘Dawgs will return to Frog Bottom on Friday night and will welcome Collinwood in the first of three-straight home games.
Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
Cornersville 21 3 7 7 — 38
Loretto 8 7 6 7 — 28
First Quarter
C — Easton Lombardi 16 run, (Lombardi 2 pt. run), 10:06.
L — Dillon Thompson 48 pass from Vinny Veloz, (Dillon Thompson 2 pt. run), 9:22.
C — Jackson Smith 4 run, (Smith kick), 6:22
C — Hunter Uland 3 run, (2 pt. failed), 0:17.
Second Quarter
L — Colby Brown 24 run (Henry Chambliss kick), 9:57.
C — Smith 42 yard field goal, 0:13.
Third Quarter
C — Cameron Fitzpatrick 34 pass from Smith, (Smith kick), 7:53.
L — Thompson 35 pass from Veloz, (kick failed), 0:13.
Fourth Quarter
L — Colby Brown 1 run, (Chambliss kick), 4:12.
C — Uland 85 interception return (Smith kick), 0:31.
* Stats courtesy of Kevin Riner