HD loses a close on at West Hardin 20- 18

West Hardin played up to their homecoming and Hull-Daisetta put up a cat fight.

It was hot and humid and smoke from WH’s Thursday night bonfire kept the mosquitos at bay.

The game featured several controversial calls as well.

Still, the Oilers took their lead with only 3 seconds left to win 20 - 18.

As for those calls making a difference in the game, I had asked HD Coach Birdwell before the game how things looked, “If we don’t turn the ball over, we’ll be fine.”

The Bobcats lost three fumbles and committed several others.

Hull- Daisetta won the coin toss, again and again, deferred to the second half.

Isaac Garcia pooched the ball to WH, and three plays later, they punted. Punts would become seemingly the mantra for both teams, as the ball was punted more times than points the teams scored.

The scoring got off to a slow start as Landyn Sellers plowed his way into the Oiler end zone midway through the first. The ‘Cats led 8 - 0 with Tyler Thibodeaux’s run over the right side. It was back and forth with the punts, loss on downs and fumbles and at halftime, it was still 8 - 0.

HD scrimmaged at the 41 to open the 3rd. Tyler Thibodeaux had an outstanding kick- off return to get the ball to the 41. The HD offense was sent packing, though and punted after losing 14 yards in 3 plays. WH put Mr. Momentum on their back and, in 4 short minutes, tied the game at 8 8. The Oilers scored again late in the 3rd to take a 14 - 8 lead.

Conner Drake turned the tables on the next drive. His punt trapped West Hardin inside their five and Sellers stepped into the Oiler backfield and brought down the runner. It was HD’s second safety in as many weeks. They trailed 14 - 10.

With just over 6 minutes left, the visiting ‘Cats took the lead 18 - 14 on a Thibodeaux 35-yard sweep over the right side.

The Oilers would not give it up, though. They drove down the field to the Bobcat 15 and, on 4 and 5, threw a pass into the end zone. Logan Smith contested the catch and HD took over at just over 3 minutes on the clock. They were unable to convert and the Oilers took possession. The Oilers drove from about midfield, where they scrimmaged after the punt. The ball was located on the Bobcat 5 with just seconds to go. The QB ran the ball up the middle. Well, he ran up the middle. The ball did not make the trip with him as it fell to the ground on the 4.

Nevertheless, it was ruled a touchdown. The PAT failed and the final score was 20 - 18.

Thibodeaux led all Bobcat rushers with 54 yards on 11 carries. Sellers plowed his way for 42 yards on 7 carries. Logan Smith rocketed 10 carries for 38 yards. Josh Smith caught the only complete pass for 17 yards. It was thrown from Sterling Gallendar.

On the defensive side, it was the Isaac Garcia show with 8 tackles. Gallendar made 6 tackles while Damien Guzman, Krispen Sowell and Kayden Flowers each had 4 tackles. Slayd Ford made 3 solo tackles and a tackle for a loss. Sellers had the safety, 2 tackles, a fumble recovery and he forced a fumble. Drake and Thibodeaux also made a couple of tackles each and made tackles for loss.

HD drops to 2 - 2 on the season and will face 3 - 1 KIPP Northeast Navigators tomorrow for homecoming at Bobcat Stadium.