Hayden 20, Corner 13: Jackets keep it close until the very end

Yet another example to bolster the case of, “That’s Why Football Games Aren’t Played on Paper.”

In the early going of Thursday night’s season-opening tilt between neighbor rivals Corner and host Hayden, it looked liked the Wildcats would win decisively, though not overwhelmingly.

But when the clock ran out on the Cats’ 20-13 victory, Hayden fans were muttering “Whew!” under their breath, while Yellow Jacket faithful were left wondering what might have happened if an onside kick had gone their way.

Hayden coach Steve Kerby was muttering a bit as well.

“We made so many mistakes,” Kerby said. “We’ve got to take advantage of turnovers and situations like that. Normally we stick it to them on those. But they dared us to do things, and we didn’t respond.”

The Wildcats drew first blood, after escaping any damage by giving up a opening-drive interception. Justin Clements, whose 6-foot-3, 280-pound bulk is normally found on the defensive line, powered his way for a one-yard touchdown plunge with seven minutes left in the first quarter. Clements’ score finished off an 88-yard drive, in what would prove to be the most sustained possession for either team all night.

Corner gave the Cats more chance, such as when they fumbled the ball away on their own 28 two plays after Clements’ score. It was the first of four times that Corner’s defense held Hayden on downs in Jackets’ territory, three in the red zone.

The Wildcats struck again late in the first half when Jared Hargett scored from 16 yards out, on a touchdown that was set up by two long passes in quick succession by Corey Ward.

Corner got on the board with 1:53 left in the third period, when quarterback Blake Byrd found Kerry Smith sprinting wide open on a post pattern for a 68-yard TD pass — a play which tripled the Jackets’ offensive stats to that point.

Hayden scored what proved to be the winning touchdown with 9:27 left to play, when Clements pounded the ball in again, after Trey Todd was tackled just inches short of the goal line on a 34-yard pass reception.

The Jackets mounted a late drive, helped along by a pair of Wildcat penalties, that ended with a 16-yard scoring pass from Byrd to Nick Webb. with 1:25 left.

Elliott attempted an onside kick, which at first went off a Hayden player’s shin, but the Cats finally smothered the ball to end the Jackets’ hopes.

Hayden outgained Corner 388 yards to 159 in total offense.

Ward was 19-for-38 with two interceptions for 264 yards passing. Adam Carlton had 128 yards on seven catches. Byrd was 10-for-25 with one pick and 127 yards, much of that on Smith’s TD catch.

Hargett had 57 yards on 17 rushes for the Cats.