Hayden senior running back Josh McCoy breaks into the clear and races for a touchdown to give the Wildcats a 23-13 fourth quarter lead over Mortimer Jordan. The Blue Devils came back to win, 27-23.

By Robert Bradford

For The North Jefferson News



MORRIS —The Mortimer Jordan Blue Devils beat the Hayden Wildcats in an exciting come from behind victory, 27-23. Hayden scored early when Josh McCoy blocked a Jordan punt and returned it 25 yards for the score. The extra point was blocked. Mortimer Jordan’s Dantrell Purifoy raced 14 yards for a Jordan score.

Caleb Harper’s kick put Jordan up 7-6 with 7:20 on the first quarter clock. Hayden’s Isaac Veitch gave Hayden the lead with a seven yard touchdown run. Veitch ran in from three yards to give Hayden a 14-7 lead with 8:23 remaining in the first half. Jordan’s Desmond Brown ran in from three yards out cutting the lead 14-13 with 3:57 to go in the half.

Hayden’s Seth Gardner hit a 32-yard field goal with 11:45 left on the clock.

The ‘Cats extended the lead 23-13 when McCoy dazzled the crowd with a 27-yard run.The point after was blocked but Hayden had a 10 point cushion with 8:28 remaining. Jordan’s Purifoy ran in from 16 yards out. Harper’s kick cut the lead 23-20 with just under six minutes remaining. After holding Hayden on downs Jordan’s Purifoy sealed the victory with a 1-yard run with only 2:33 on the fourth quarter clock. Harper’s kick gave Jordan the 27-23 victory.

The leading rusher in the game was Dantrell Purifoy who had 96 yards on 17 carries and three touchdowns. Marquis Dobbs had 69 yards on 12 carries. Dobbs also had three catches for 55 yards.

Leading rusher for Hayden was Josh McCoy who had 80 yards on 11 carries and a touchdown. McCoy also has three catches for 38 yards and a blocked a punt for a touchdown.

Isaac Veitch had 50 yards on 16 attempts and scored one touchdown.

Winning coach Greg Watts said after being down 10 points late in the game there was nothing to tell the kids but to find a way to score somehow.

“After the first score the momentum turned and we were able to pull out the win. Hayden played really well on defense.” Watts said, “We are just glad to be alive (for a playoff spot). Now we’ve got to take care of business the next two weeks.”