Hornets Clinch Playoff Berth
With the offensive line holding, Cole Malawy (2) searches for the open man during the Hornets’ 41-38 win over the Carterville Lions Friday on Lions’ Field. The road win makes the second straight season that Nashville clinched a spot in the postseason.
For the second straight season, the Nashville Hornets football team will be headed to the playoffs. The Hornets moved to 6-0 with a thrilling 41-38 win over Carterville on the road this past Friday night. Nashville will return home this week to face off against Pinckneyville. It is the Homecoming game.
The Hornets were on fire in the first quarter as they jumped out to a big lead. Nashville looked to be on their way to another blowout win, but the Lions has other ideas.
Nashville got the scoring started as Jullian Metcalf found the end zone from four yards out. Cristian Ocampo converted the extra point to put the Hornets ahead 7-0.
The Hornets would double their lead later in the first as Cole Malawy and Isaac Turner connected on a 54 yard touchdown pass. Ocampo’s extra point put Nashville ahead 14-0.
Nick Miller put the Hornets ahead 21-0 with a 29 yard touchdown run.
Carterville finally got on the board as Caleb Knight kicked a 44 yard field goal to cut the Hornets lead to 21-3.
Nashville would come right back with another touchdown. Malawy would find Jaxon Goforth for a 62 yard touchdown. Ocampo connected on his fourth extra point of the first quarter to put the Hornets ahead 28-3.
After Elijah Downen found the end zone from seven yards out to cut the Nashville lead to 28-10, the Hornets would score again.
Malawy found Nick Miller for a 54 yard touchdown to put Nashville ahead 34-10 after a missed extra point.
Nashville’s offense went stagnant from there as the Hornets defense would have to step up the rest of the way.
Carterville would get within 34-17 before halftime as Downen connected with Bryce Anderson for a 65 yard touchdown.
The Lions kept chipping away after the break. Carterville scores 14 straight points in the third quarter to get within three. Downen and Anderson connected again on a 49 yard touchdown pass before Rafe Tuttle scores on a ten yard run to cut the Hornets lead to 34-31.
Metcalf scores from one yard out to gain the Hornets a bit of breathing room. At the end of the third quarter, the Hornets led 41-31.
Downen and Anderson connected on a 38 yard touchdown in the fourth but two big interceptions sealed the win for the Hornets.
With Carterville trailing 41-38, the Hornets got interceptions from Turner and Miller to close out the win for Nashville.
Malawy went 15-26 for 331 yards and three touchdowns through the air. Malawy also three two interceptions in the game.
On the ground, Nashville was led by Metcalf who finished with 154 yards and two touchdowns on 21 carries. Like Ehret rushed for 65 yards on 13 carries. Miller rushed seven times for 86 yards and a touchdown.
Miller led the Hornets receiving core in the win. Miller caught seven passes for 111 yards and a touchdown. Goforth caught two passes for 70 yards and a touchdown. Turner hauled in two passes for 57 yards and a score. Gavin Baldwin finished with 70 yards on three catches. Ehret caught one pass for 23 yards.
Turner finished with two interceptions. Miller finished with one interception.
Jaxon Goforth (87) celebrates in the air with Nick Miller (10) after scoring a touchdown in the first quarter Friday night. The Hornets kept off a Lions rally to win 41-38.
