There are some people who believe in conspiracy theories. Some of the perhaps most well known include the Grassy Knoll in Dallas in November of 1963, the alien technology at Area 51, perhaps even those that claim the manned moon landings were fake and that wrestling is real. But a lesser known conspiracy theory involves Locust Fork football games played within Cullman County. Over the years there have been some strange occurrences at Hornet games and for a while at Vinemont, it appeared that another chapter in the book was going to be written. Even before the game the proverbial black helicopters circled the field and several low flying airplanes buzzed the stadium and early in the fourth quarter, what had been a comfortable Locust Fork lead of 14-0 had turned into a 20-14 deficit. However, on this night, the Hornets were not going to allow this game to enter the annals of the twilight zone. Locust Fork scored 21 points in a six-minute span of the final period to pull out a 35-20 Class 3A, Region 6 victory over the Vinemont Eagles.

After the helicopters and airplanes faded from view, it was the Locust Fork running game that took over as the Hornets took the opening kickoff and drove 62 yards for the opening touchdown. Fullback Drew Rogers got the scoring honors with a 1-yard run. Jose Hernandez added the first of five PAT’s to make it 7-0 Hornets midway in the first quarter. Vinemont quickly found out that the running lanes against Locust Fork were closed as the Eagles ended up with only 10 rushing yard for the night. Locust Fork added another score in the second quarter when running back Jarrett Peeples turned right end from 9 yards out. Hernandez kick gave Locust Fork a 14-0 lead and everything looked rosy for the visitors. But that is when things began to go haywire as they have many times before in a Cullman County stadium.

With the ground game non-existent, the Eagles spread their wings and found new life via the air lanes. Quarterback Garrett Boland tossed the first of three touchdown passes on the night by finding receiver Dustin Moore from 10 yards out only eleven seconds before halftime. A two-point conversion attempt failed and Locust Fork led at the break 14-6.

Vinemont took the second half kickoff and overcame both a third down and 27 as well as a fourth and five to tie the game up. Boland connected with running back Seth Campbell for the touchdown. Boland then ran for the two point conversion to tie the game at 14-all.

Two possessions later, Boland was filling the air with footballs and one of those footballs found receiver Colby Nicholas running all alone behind the Hornet defense for a 53-yard catch and run touchdown. The two point attempt was stopped by the Hornets but the homestanding Eagles led 20-14 with 11:49 left in the game. Things looked bleak for Locust Fork when the Hornets fumbled in Eagles territory with ten minutes to go. But just when it seemed the conspiracy theorists had another tale to tell a strange thing happened. The Hornet defense, which had been giving up passing yardage in huge chunks, suddenly began to break up passes and more importantly they put pressure on the quarterback Boland. He was sacked five times in the final ten minutes of the game by blitzing Hornet defenders. 

A Vinemont punt led to a quick Locust Fork touchdown as quarterback Chase Rice found receiver Daniel Goss for a 50 yard touchdown strike. Hernandez PAT gave the lead back to Locust Fork at 21-20 with 7:37 left. Another Hornet blitz caused a fumble that was recovered by defensive tackle Austin Glasscox at the Locust Fork 39 yard line. The offense moved quickly to another touchdown as Rogers burst up the middle for 33 yards to paydirt. Hernandez made ti 28-20 Locust Fork with 3:53 remaining. The Hornet pass rush harassed Boland, forcing him to throw an incomplete pass on a fourth down and 55 to go which gave Locust Fork the ball at the Vinemont 15 yard line. Two plays later, back Tyler Clevenger rambled in from 18 yards for the final touchdown which after Hernandez kick set the final score at 35-20.

Locust Fork pounded the football on the ground for 306 yards and spread the wealth among its stable of running backs. Rice had 121 yards, Peeples with 49 more, while Rogers (95 yards) and Clevenger (37 yards) rounded out the balanced attack. Rogers and Goss had interceptions for the Hornet defense. Hunter Neely added two of seven total quarterback sacks for the victors.

Next week, Locust Fork (3-0, 1-0) will play its third road game in four outings as they travel to Blountsville to face region rival J.B. Pennington.