HOOVER, Ala. — The Noxubee County High School football team couldn”t make a halftime lead stand up Saturday night in a 24-20 loss to Spain Park (Ala.).
“We simply made too many mistakes,” Noxubee County coach Tyrone Shorter said. “We had three turnovers — all in the second half. Three times, we drive inside the 20-yard-line and can”t score. Against a good team, you have to take advantage of your chances and not make mistakes.”
Noxubee County (1-1) led 20-14 at halftime.
Spain Park (1-0) opened the scoring on its first possession when Hunter Kahn caught a 14-yard touchdown pass from Nick Mullens.
Noxubee County answered with a 38-yard run from Ladarrell Hunt. Kamal Chamberlain”s kick tied the game at 7.
The tie lasted two plays as Mullens went back to the air to hit Tyler Grishman on a 61-yard scoring strike.
Again, Noxubee County tied the score when Deangelo Ballard plowed in from 1 yard. Two possessions later, Ballard scored on another 1-yard run. The try failed, but the halftime margin was created with 30 seconds left.
“We played hard and, for the most part, we played well,” Shorter said. “When you play a very talented team, the keys to the game are field position and turnovers. In this game, the big play also hurt us. They beat us on two deep passing plays. We have to tighten some things up on the defensive side of the ball.”
With 7 minutes, 19 seconds left in the third quarter, the Jaguars grabbed a 21-20 lead on a 70-yard touchdown pass from Mullens to Cade Hoffman. Mullens threw for 231 yards and three touchdowns.
A 43-yard field goal by Jake Hoffman gave Spain Park the final margin with 4:31 left in the third quarter.
Offensively, Shorter noted a very balanced running attack, led by strong offensive line play and good nights from running backs Hunt and Darrell Robinson.
Noxubee County will look to get back on track Friday night when it travels to New Hope.
In the other games Saturday at Hoover, Louisville defeated Demopolis (Ala.) 24-17, and Hoover (Ala.) defeated South Panola, 24-13.
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