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The Dallas County Hornets has been in a number of close games this year.

Friday night was no different as Hale County came to town for homecoming. Just like earlier in the season against Greensboro, Dallas County rallied from a fourth quarter deficit to take the lead in the waning moments. 

However, the Hornets couldn’t hang on, as the Wildcats scored with 13 to go in the game on a 1-yard touchdown run to escape with a 38-32 win.

The loss drops Dallas County to 4-5 on the season. Hale County improved to 7-2 and will finish as the 3-seed behind Thomasville and Southside in the region.

Head coach Darryl Watts credited his team’s effort again tonight. 

“The effort was there once again, but just not the execution,” Watts said. “I never want to blame the referees for anything, but a lot of calls just didn’t go our way tonight. There were some plays we left out there. We have to look in the mirror first before you can blame anyone else.”

Watts said that while the team has improved, he felt like they underachieved where he thought they could be.

“I don’t think our team really didn’t realize just how good they were until too late,” Watts said. “But I am really proud of this team the way they fought. You know, we were 0-10 and then 1-9. So they have come a long way. I’m proud of them, and they should be proud of themselves.” 

After Hale County scored first, the Hornets scored back-to-back touchdowns with 2-point conversions to take a 16-6 lead at the end of the first quarter. 

The. Wildcats battled back with a rushing touchdown and a pick-6 to take an 18-16 lead at halftime.

Hale County added two more touchdowns to take a 30-16 less than a minute into the fourth quarter.

But the Hornets didn’t give up. Kenrell Hamilton finally found the end zone on a 5-yard touchdown with about six minutes to play. He also added the 2-point conversion to cut the lead to 30-24.

Things looked bleak until the snap until the defense made a play as Christopher Rothchild forced a fumble that was recovered by Dallas County. 

That led to Caleb Morgan’s 35-yard desperation touchdown throw to Michael Hosea for a touchdown to tie the game. Hamilton took the lead with the 2-point conversion, but there was still 1:44 to play.

That’s when Hale County, aided by a questionable pass interference penalty along the Wildcat sideline, was able to hit a big passing play to the 2-yard line. They then punched it in with 13 seconds left to seal the win with the conversion. 

Next Friday night, the Hornets get a chance even their record heading into the offseason with a win over Hatch next week.

Watts said he is excited to see what some of his middle school players can do next week. 

“I’m excited about our middle school guys that’s coming up. They’re going to participate next Friday,” Watts said. “I am very excited about the future around here. I’m proud of my coaching staff and getting together on such short notice. There’s a lot of positives, and I’m proud of the guys for trying to perform in the moment.”