STAFF REPORT
CORNERSVILLE — A huge second quarter was more than Cornersville as able to overcome in a 33-20 Region 5-A loss to visiting Huntland on Homecoming night.
The Hornets (6-3, 3-2) put the pressure on the ‘Dawgs right out of the gate with a 90-yard kickoff return to open the game, courtesy of Julius Miller.
While Huntland took the early lead, Cornersville (2-7, 1-4) rallied to take a 14-7 lead by the end of the first quarter.
Hunter Uland put the ‘Dawgs on his back and scored a pair of 4-yard touchdown runs to give the ‘Dawgs the 14-7 lead.
Huntland answered the Cornersville ground attack with a pair of second-quarter rushing touchdowns of its own, coming on a BJ Summers 9-yard run and a Jed Ashley 2-yard run.
With Huntland having rallied for a 21-14 lead following Ashley’s go-ahead touchdown with 1:25 left, things went from bad to worse just before the half.
After moving into Hornet territory, Miller answered the bell with his second touchdown of the night, this time coming on an interception returned 60 yards with just two seconds left before the half.
By halftime, the Hornets led 27-14.
Needing a spark, Cornersville got just what the doctor ordered on the opening kickoff to start the second half, coming on a 75-yard kickoff return by Easton Lombardi to pull Cornersville back within a single possession.
But aside from the special teams’ spark, not much else went Cornersville’s way during the rest of regulation.
After the Hornet defense held the ‘Dawgs’ offense scoreless in the third, the Hornets added an insurance touchdown in the fourth quarter on a 20-yard run by Grant Jernigan.
Cornersville will close the regular season on Friday night at Frog Bottom, hosting Eagleville in the 2024 season finale at 7 p.m.
Huntland 7 20 0 6 — 33
Cornersville 14 0 6 0 — 20
First Quarter
H — Julius Miller 90 kickoff return (Jed Ashley kick) 11:47.
C — Hunter Uland 4 rush (Joseth Palma XP) 6:39.
C —Uland 4 rush (Palma XP) 1:44.
Second Quarter
H — BJ Summers 9 run (kick failed) 8:09.
H — Jed Ashley 2 run (Kyrin Baxter 2 point conv.) 1:25.
H — Miller 60 interception return (kick failed)) 0:02.
Third Quarter
C — Easton Lombardi 75 kickoff return (kick failed) 11:51.
Fourth Quarter
H — Grant Jernigan 20 run (kick failed) 1:13.
*Stats courtesy of Kevin Riner