After jumping out to a 25-12 lead in the first half, Cornersville as held scoreless in the second half at Wayne County on Friday night. (Post File Photo by Chris Siers)
STAFF REPORT
WAYNESBORO — Through the first half on Friday night at region foe Wayne County, Cornersville (2-6, 1-3) felt pretty good about its chances about snatching a much-needed region victory from the Wildcats (4-4, 3-2).
But that two-possession lead was erased with a strong third quarter by Wayne County as Cornersville fell 26-25.
The ‘Dawgs got on the board when Easton Lombardi rattled loose for a 58-yard strike to put Cornersville up 6-0, just 54 seconds in to the game.
The defense held through most of the first quarter, but after Wayne County pressed inside the 10-yard line, punched it into the end zone on a 6-yard run by Case Butler to tie the game at six apiece, as both teams missed conversion attempts.
While the first quarter ended in a deadlock, the second quarter purely belonged to the Bulldogs, who dropped 19 points on the Wildcats to take a commanding lead of the game by halftime.
Austin Cooper once again gave the ‘Dawgs the lead, scoring from six yards out with 11:48 left in the half and after Wayne County’s Cayson Castleman found the end zone to pull the hosts within one, Cornersville closed the half with 12 unanswered points.
Lombardi found the end zone for the second time on the night, scoring from eight yards out with 44 seconds left in the half.
Fortune continued to swing towards the Bulldogs as Brandon Hargrave scored just seven seconds later on a scoop-and-score following a Wayne County fumble.
By halftime, Cornersville led 25-12.
While the Bulldogs controlled much of the first half, the second half belonged to Wayne County, who exited the half and with 8:06 left in the third, pulled within one score on a Cayson Castleman 4-yard score.
Case Butler successfully added the two-point conversion to make the score 25-20.
The Wildcats eventually took the lead on an 11-yard run with 1:17 left in the third period and that 26-25 score held through the remainder of regulation as the Wayne County defense was able to pitch a second-half shutout.
The loss on Friday marked the fourth-straight for the Bulldogs, but sets up Cornersville to hit the reset button for the final two home games of the regular season.
With home region games against Huntland (4-3, 1-2) and Eagleville (4-3, 2-2), the season is certainly still up in the air, as Cornersville sits idle this week for a much-needed off week.
The ‘Dawgs will return to Frog Bottom next week, hosting Huntland at 7 p.m.
Cornersville 6 19 0 0 — 25
Wayne Co 6 6 14 0 — 26
First Quarter
C — Easton Lombardi 58 run (2pt. conv. failed) 11:04.
WC — Case Butler 6 run (2pt conv. failed) 4:37.
Second Quarter
C — Austin Cooper 4 run (Joseth Palma Palma kick) 11:48.
WC — Cayson Castleman 13 run (2pt. conv. failed) 6:22.
C — Lombardi 8 run (2pt. conv. failed) 0:44.
C — Brandon Hargrave fumble recovery (2pt. conv. failed) 0:37.
Third Quarter
WC — Castleman 4 run (Butler 2pt. run) 8:06.
WC — Drew Bevis 11 run (2 pt. conv. failed) 1:17.
*Stats courtesy of Kevin Riner
