MOULTON — Hayden was supposed to be the designated homecoming-game victim for Lawrence County on Friday night, but the Wildcats put up a fight before falling by a 28-14 score.

The Cats took the opening kickoff and had a good drive going deep into Red Devils territory before turning the ball over on downs.

Two plays later, Lawrence County’s Jakob Terry scampered 67 yards for the first score of the night midway of the first quarter.

After forcing a Wildcats punt, the Devils used a trick play to score when halfback Tristian Smith hit Jacob Orr for 28 yards and a score. The hosts went up 14-0 with 2:17 still left in the first quarter.

On the ensuing kickoff, sophomore running back Colton Shirley broke loose for 82 yards and a score for Hayden. The extra point kick failed, but the Cats had cut the lead to 14-6 with 2:04 left in the first.

Hayden’s Jordyn Witt recovered a Devils fumble in the second period, but the Wildcats were unable to produce points as the half ended with a 14-6 score.

The Cats denfense came out the second half playing well and neither team could threaten until late in the third quarter when Hayden turned the ball over on a fumble. Lawrence County took advantage as running back Jakob Terry ran for the touchdown from 28 yards outwith only 1:26 left in the third quarter.

Midway through the final period, the Devils added an insurance touchdown when Daniel Griffin scored from on a 25-yard run with 7:02 remaining in the game.

On the kickoff the Cats ran a reverse with Adam Payne winding up with the ball, cashing in with a great return to the Lawrence County 26. A touchdown pass from Tim Curry to Zack Bradford was nullified on a penalty, but Hayden scored again when Curry hit Colton Shirley on a 10-yard pass. Shirley had two defenders hanging on him but managed to hang on to the ball for the score, his second of the night. Joel Ciriello ran the 2-point conversion in to cut the lead to 28-14 with 4:37 left.

Cats coach Keith Register gave game officials an earful much of the way, as his team was flagged 11 times for 70 yards, compared to just three fould for 25 yards for the home team.

Cirello led the Wildcats in rushing with 126 yards on 22 carries. Shirley added 28 yards on nine carries, plus 33 yards receiving and a touchdown. He also had over 100 yards in return yards, including the 82-yard score.

The Wildcats (0-5, 0-3 region) host to Lincoln next week for homecoming.