Cullman's Matt Plunkett argues a call during Friday's game against Mortimer Jordan.

Feriram Sanchez kicked a go-ahead 18-yard field goal with 1:56 remaining to lift Mortimer Jordan past Cullman 18-16 inside Oliver Woodard Stadium on Friday night.

The Bearcats, who were held scoreless in the second half, were unable to pick up a first down on their final possession of the game and dropped to 1-1 on the season.

“We just couldn’t get anything going offensively,” coach Matt Plunkett said. “And that’s my fault … 100 percent. I didn’t coach well enough this week on the offensive side of the ball. I’m going to get better. I really thought the difference in the game … we had two key penalties. That’s on me. Our team wasn’t disciplined enough. I’ve got to get them more disciplined. We had a fourth-and-20, and we pull a kid’s facemask off and give them a chance to convert, and they convert by a half-inch. They never would have had the opportunity to kick a field goal if we don’t do that.

“I’m proud of my team and my coaches. There’s one person at fault tonight, and that’s Matt Plunkett. I’ll work my tail off. I’ll be up here in the morning finding a way to get the Bearcats better. It’s time to get to work.”

Max Dueland completed a 25-yard touchdown pass to Ezra Burks on Cullman’s first drive of the clash to put the home team up 7-0 early in the opening stanza.

The Blue Devils (1-1) tied things up in the second quarter on a 6-yard scoring dash by Kourtlan Marsh.

The Bearcats, however, crafted a safety following a bad snap on a punt attempt and punched in a late touchdown on another Dueland-to-Burks connection — this time from 29 yards out — to snag a 16-7 cushion at halftime.

Unfortunately, Mortimer Jordan responded with 11 unanswered points to claim the victory.

Daniel Franklin pulled his squad to within one point following a 1-yard touchdown run and subsequent 2-point conversion.

The Blue Devils then cashed in a 18-play drive with Sanchez’s clutch kick.

Cullman finished the game with 162 total yards but had minus-2 yards in the second half.

Dueland competed 6 of 15 passes for 83 yards, two touchdowns and an interception.

Jayden Sullins carried the ball 21 times for 55 yards. Ezra Burks led the receiving corps with two catches for 54 yards and two scores. Jake Dueland had also two receptions for 28 yards. Sullins and Matt Brock had one catch apiece.

Carter Lindsey, Jaylen Hughey and Holden Atchison each recovered a fumble for a Cullman defense that allowed just 275 yards.

Jimnie Chau Le scurried to a 26-yard gain on a fake punt to set up the Bearcats’ opening score.

Plunkett and Co. will look to get back on track next week in a region opener at Decatur.