Times-Journal Sports Writer

Eighth-grade fullback Jatavius Turner rushed for 110 yards and two touchdowns on 16 carries Friday night, but it wasn’t enough as the Keith High Bears were beaten by the Hale County Wildcats, 35-24.

The Bears (0-6) turned the ball over four times and remain winless for the season.

After Keith fumbled on the opening kickoff on its own 9- yard line, Hale County capitalized on the first play from scrimmage with a 9-yard sweep for the first score. The PAT was good and Hale County held a 7-0 lead.

Keith mounted a 65-yard drive of its own, highlighted by 40 yards rushing by Turner and big gains by Joshua Aguero and Deonta Milhouse.

Turner capped the drive with a 7-yard run. The Bears converted the 2-point conversion and held an 8-7 advantage after the first quarter.

Hale County bounced back in the second quarter and scored on a 9-yard pass to reclaim a 13-8 lead.

After a sack at the Wildcats’ 49-yard line halted the Bears, Hale County capitalized on the good field position and capped a 44-yard drive with a 6-yard corner route for the touchdown and a 21-8 lead.

The Bears were moving the ball consistently on the next drive when Jatavius Turner fumbled after a 6-yard gain.

“He was trying for extra yardage.

I can’t get upset when a player is trying to go the extra mile,” Keith coach Harry Crum said.

The Wildcats finished a 35-yard drive with a 1-yard run to go up 29-8.

On the ensuing kick-off, Keith fumbled inside the 15-yard line, and Hale County responded quickly. The Wildcats finished the short drive with an 8-yard scoring to increase their lead to 35-8 at the half.

Milhouse blocked a punt on the first drive of the second half and

Deidre Scott recovered the ball in Wildcat territory.

Turner then scored on a 1-yard run and Leo Vaughn added the 2-pointer to make the score to bring the Bears to within 35-16.

After stopping the Wildcats on downs, Keith dropped a pass on fourth and goal from the 9.

On Keith’s next drive, Ladarrius Jones hit Jerome Baker with a 30-yard strike for a touchdown. Turner added the 2-pointer.