Cobras’ mistakes cost them in loss to Seminary

The Seminary Bulldogs sneaked a road win from Wesson at Stone Stadium on Friday night, but only after a fluke TD that sealed the game late.  Wesson was trailing 12-6 and driving late in the game when  Bulldog defender Austin Balthazor ripped the ball from Cobra QB Bailey Warren and sprinted 60 yards for an insurance touchdown with less than one minute remaining in the game.  That score dashed any hope of a comeback by the home team, handed the Cobras their first loss and earned the Bulldogs their first win.
The first quarter was scoreless as both teams battled in the thick, muggy late summer air that blanketed the area.
Seminary took a 7-0 lead into the locker room at the half after Balthazor hit WR Deandra Barnes on a 17 yard pass and a successful PAT.
Neither team scored in the third, but the fireworks exploded in the fourth.  Seminary’s Jamal Booth electrified the visiting crowd with a 92 yard sprint for a TD to put the Bulldogs ahead 12-0.
Moments later, Wesson finally got untracked on offense when RB Otis Smith found a hole and dashed in from 17 yards out.  On the two-point conversion try, Warren’s pass fell into the hands of Bulldog, and the lead was 12-6 Seminary.
The Cobras got a big stop on defense and took over the ball with a chance to drive for a game-tying score late in the game, until Balthazor’s fumble return for what proved to be the ‘nail in the coffin’ for the Cobras.
Smith led Wesson with 10 carries, gaining 59 yards and the TD.
On defense, Cullen Greer collected 8 tackles, including one QB sack and 2 for loss.  Chris Craft added 5 tackles, 2 for loss.  Koy McFarland and Quinton Lindsey notched 4 tackles each.
The telling stat of the game:  Wesson lost four fumbles and threw one interception.  “We were out-coached and out-played.  We didn’t execute well enough to win and turnovers killed us,” said head coach Ronald Greer after the game.  “We will regroup and get ready for West Marion,” he added.
The Cobras will make the 60 mile trip to Foxworth this Friday.  W. Marion, the third 3A team the Cobras will have faced this season, is 3-0 after having defeated Dexter 44-0 last Friday.  Kickoff is set for 7:30.