HANCEVILLE — The Hanceville Bulldogs lived by the big play on Friday night against Oakman.

The result was a big-time upset.

Isaac Weissend set the tone with a 34-yard pick-six on the game’s first play from scrimmage, and Hanceville didn’t let up until the scoreboard read 50-40 in favor of the home team versus the state’s sixth-ranked squad in Class 3A.

“I don’t know if I’ve ever been a part of a team that scored 43 points in a half,” Hanceville coach Danny Miller said. “And I’m not sure if I’ve ever been on a team that scored 50 points and only won by 10. I am extremely proud of those guys.”

The Dawgs followed up Weissend’s early highlight with a 78-yard pass-and-catch from Branen Hurst to Kaine Yates on their first offensive snap. A successful 2-point conversion run by Yates put the Purple and Gold up 14-6.

Oakman responded with a six-play, 85-yard drive, ending with a 4-yard run for the score. A 2-point conversion attempt failed, with the Bulldogs still ahead, 14-12.

Hanceville added to their lead on the next series when B.J. Smalls carried the ball 72 yards into the end zone for the touchdown. Following the extra point, the Dawgs posted a 21-12 advantage to end the first quarter.

The Wildcats countered with an eight-play, 80-yard drive, concluding with a 12-yard scramble to cut the lead to three, 21-18. Oakman’s attempt for two points was unsuccessful.

After the kickoff, Smalls struck again on a 70-yard run for the score, followed by a 2-point conversion run by Hurst for a 29-18 Hanceville edge.

A costly turnover for Oakman on the ensuing drive lead to an 8-yard scoring run by the Bulldogs’ Romael Simmons. A good extra point kick extended the lead to 36-18.

Oakman’s next possession ended with a 24-yard TD run, putting the Wildcats within twelve, 36-24, after a 2-point run fell short.

On the final play of the first half, Hurst found Weissend on a 52-yard pass, followed by a successful extra point kick, to pull Hanceville further ahead, 43-24 at the break.

Oakman capped off an eight-play, 72-yard drive on its second series of the third quarter with a 10-yard run, then rushed into the end zone for the 2-point conversion to cut the score to 43-32.

Hurst and Yates connected again for a 26-yard scoring pass on the following possession, coupled with the extra point kick, to push the Bulldogs’ lead to 50-32 to begin the fourth quarter.

After an exchange of possessions, the Wildcats ended a nine-play, 68-yard drive with a 5-yard run. They ran in the extra point to pull within ten, 50-40.

The Bulldogs were able to recover an onside kick and make key plays on the final possession of the game to retain the upset victory.

Oakman racked up nearly 600 yards of total offense and two 100-yard rushers, but Hanceville made sure it wasn’t enough on a night they weathered a 40-minute lightning delay.

“They have been really good at executing the jet sweep,” Miller said. “They’ve run it on everybody they’ve played and been successful, and we really hammered that home in practice this week. Once we stopped that, they adjusted and their quarterbacks hurt us several times running the ball, but our kids just stuck with it and played really well.”

The inspired performance was the Bulldogs’ second in as many weeks. The Friday prior, they’d marched into hostile territory at Winfield and hung with the Pirates in a 49-35 defeat.

“Our skill guys have been playing well. Hurst had a really big game last week, and B.J. ran really well last week, but our offensive line was the difference,” Miller said. “I’m not sure what our total offense was tonight, but it was a lot. Those guys up front were the key.”

Hanceville (2-5, 2-2 3A, Region 5) holds its playoff destiny firmly in its own hands. Win the next two weeks against Holly Pond and Susan Moore, and the Bulldogs will be assured an 11th game.

“We’re still in the running to make the playoffs, and that’s a good feeling,” Miller said. “We’ve already talked to the kids about it, and they understand that they just need to go out and take care of the things they can control.”

Oakman (5-2, 4-1) will host Winfield next week to determine the region champion.