Bell County had Class 5A power Pulaski County on the ropes for most of the game Friday but the Maroons found a way to win, scoring a touchdown during the final two minutes of regulation to defeat the Bobcats, 35-29.
The loss dropped Bell County to 6-2 on the season.
The Bobcats outgained the Maroons, 355-351, in total yardage and dominated time of possession, 33:08 to 14:34.
Daniel Thomas led Bell County with 224 rushing yards on 34 carries while scoring twice. Dawson Woolum finished with 63 rushing yards and one touchdown.
Bell County controlled the ball the entire first quarter, keeping Pulaski County’s potent offense off the field.
The Bobcats’ Daniel Thomas scored on a 23-yard touchdown run with 11:53 left in the second quarter to take a 7-0 lead.
Dawson Woolum got into the scoring action of Bell County’s next offensive drive, scoring on a 15-yard run, pushing the Bobcats’ advantage to 14-0 at the 9:16 mark of the second quarter.
The Maroons finally scored with 6:35 remaining in the first half thanks to a one-yard touchdown run by Cody Nichols, cutting Pulaski County’s deficit to 14-7.
Thomas answered with a 51-yard touchdown run with 3:43 left, giving his team a 21-7 lead while Brysen Dugger’s six-yard touchdown pass to Chandler Godby allowed the Maroons only to trail 21-14 at halftime.
Pulaski County tied the game at 21 apiece in the third quarter as Dugger completed a 57-yard touchdown pass to Chandler Godby with 11:42 left.
Pulaski County took its first lead of the game at the 33-second mark of the third quarter as Dugger connected with Godby with an eight-yard touchdown pass to take a 28-21 advantage.
Bell County answered with a one-yard touchdown run by Blake Burnett with 3:15 left in the game while Thomas added the two-point conversion to give the Bobcats a 29-28 advantage.
The Maroons answered, though.
Ethan Idlewine found pay dirt from four yards out to score the game-winning touchdown with 1:34 left, giving Pulaski County a 35-29 win.
