Hardin County holds on for road win at Haywood
BROWNSVILLE — Offensive weapons are not a problem for Hardin County.
The Tigers have multiple players that can excel on any given week. This week junior Latrell Bumphus was that player, and he excelled in multiple facets of the game.
Bumphus was there for a playmaker on offense, punting on special teams and getting the necessary play on defense.
His play helped Hardin County pick up a 21-20 victory over Haywood on the road on Friday.
“We knew that it was going to be a tight game,” Hardin County coach Matt Smith said. “We settled in on defense after the first quarter. Haywood still had some big plays, but we stood up in the red zone. It is tough to win on the road in this region.”
Region road games have turned out to be tough for Hardin County (6-0, 4-0), but the Tigers have pulled out a win now both times — 28-21 win at Dyer County before this one.
“Haywood was a good team,” Bumphus said. “They had a good defense, and their offense moved the ball.”
Trailing 14-0 after the first quarter, Hardin County had to stop the Haywood offense that accounted for 161 yards in the first quarter and start to move the ball. The Tiger had 25 yards in the first quarter.
With 6:51 remaining until halftime, Hardin County quarterback Cal Gobbell connected with Bumphus for a 62-yard touchdown pass to spark the offense.
“We had to tighten up on defense and make plays on offense,” Bumphus said. “We had to stay focused even though we were behind.
“I saw green grass ahead of me on the touchdown, and Cal put the ball where I needed it.”
After two defensive stops, Hardin County put together an eight-play, 55-yard drive to tie the game up 14-14 with 27.3 remaining until halftime.
Hardin County twice had to convert on fourth down to keep the drive going. Gobbell completed a 14-yard pass to Bumphus on four-and-five on the Hardin County 40, and the touchdown came on a 24-yard touchdown pass to Nick Godwin on fourth-and-eight at the 24-yard line.
“On offense, Cal did a good job executing on some big plays,” Smith said. “I am happy to come out of this with a win.”
Just as the Hardin County offense was producing points, the Tiger defense held Haywood (4-2, 3-2) to 16 yards of offense in the second quarter to get back in the game.
Hardin County’s lone touchdown in the second half also came on defense as Easton Rainwater intercepted a Haywood pass and returned it 67 yards for a touchdown.
After falling behind, Haywood had the ball at the 32-yard line (failed fourth down conversion) and the 11-yard line (Bumphus fumble recovery), but the Tomcats couldn’t convert.
A 25-yard touchdown pass from Bo Gillespie to Dylan Simmons on the following possession put Haywood within a point, but a failed extra point kept Hardin County ahead.
Michael Odom, 425-9754