By Shane Gaut

The Selma Times-Journal

The R.C. Hatch Bobcats were able to triumph over the Francis Marion Rams 36-20 Friday night in a battle of Perry County teams in Marion.

The Bobcats (3-4, 2-3) got off to a slow start, but were able to pick things up in the second half against the Rams (4-4, 2-3).

“We came out slow tonight but was really able to open it up in the second half,” said Jammie Abraham, head coach of the Bobcats. “Can’t say enough about our quarterback (Deroderick Norfleet), three touchdown passes in one half is pretty impressive, and he has another year.  It’s a great win. We’re going to go get some rest now and begin preparing for our next opponent.”

The Bobcats would strike first with 3:41 left in the first half when Nigel Black batted and intercepted Francis Marion quarterback Radge Turner’s pass and returned it 38 yards for a touchdown.

The Rams first score would also come as a result of a big defensive play as Toriance Herring intercepted Norfleet on the 45-yard line with a little over a 1:00 left in the half.

Turner then tossed a bomb to Damion Evans to set up a first and goal from the 3-yard line with 0:20 remaining.

Herring was able to punch it in to make the score 8-6, but the Rams failed to tie the game with a botched two-point conversion attempt.

Both teams combined for only seven first downs in the half.

The Bobcats would come alive in the second half scoring on their first three possessions by way of two Norfleet touchdown passes, one going for 62 yards and the other going for 30.

With the score at 30-6, and the game nearing the fourth quarter, Turner threw a 28-yard touchdown pass with 0:25 left in the third quarter making the score 30-14.

Marion was able to score once more and tighten the game, making it 30-20.

Hatch’s Brandon Jones intercepted Turner on the final turnover and returned it for a touchdown to seal the score at 36-20.