HUNTSVILLE, Mo. - Scotland County had to answer an early deficit, several difficult field positions and a pair of second-half scoring plays by Westran on Friday night, but the Tigers kept finding a response. Behind three rushing touchdowns from Emit Long and two timely fourth-quarter interceptions, Scotland County pulled away for a 41-22 Lewis and Clark Conference victory on the Hornets’ homecoming night.
Long finished with an unofficial 290 yards on 23 carries as the Tigers piled up 421 rushing yards and improved to 5-2. His performance earned him Hawkins Harrison Insurance Player of the Week honors during the Beck’s Hybrids Scoreboard Show, following a game that remained within one possession until the final two minutes.
“There was times where we had some rough luck and we could have folded multiple times, and our kids just stood up and kept making plays,” Scotland County coach Kirk Stott said on the scoreboard show. “I think that’s what I’m most proud of, is the perseverance.”
Westran created the first opportunity by recovering an onside kick to open the game, taking possession at Scotland County’s 45-yard line. Brody Kallmeyer eventually connected with Carter Wells for a 15-yard touchdown, and the same combination converted the two-point attempt to give the Hornets an 8-0 lead.
Scotland County answered on its first offensive possession. Long finished the drive with a 28-yard touchdown run around the left side, getting a downfield block from Chandler Snyder to help clear his path. The two-point attempt came up short, leaving Westran ahead 8-6.
The Tigers spent much of the remaining half working out of their own territory, but found ways to keep the Hornets from adding to their lead. Brock McDonald turned a rugby-style punt look into a first-down run, and Scotland County’s defense recovered two first-half fumbles to stop Westran possessions.
Pinned at their own 1-yard line later in the second quarter, the Tigers again worked their way out. Landon McDonald gained five yards to provide some breathing room before Long broke loose down the right sideline for his second touchdown. Long also added the two-point conversion, sending Scotland County into halftime with a 14-8 advantage.
Westran tied the game in the third quarter when Wells broke through several tackles on a long touchdown run. Scotland County stopped the conversion attempt, then went back to its ground game to regain the lead.
Long scored his third touchdown on a run around the left side, with Aiden Nelson delivering a block that took out two defenders and opened the sideline. Cooper Small’s extra point put the Tigers ahead 21-14, but the Hornets had another answer.
Facing fourth-and-five, Kallmeyer found Lennon Winterbower over the middle for a touchdown. Wells followed with the two-point conversion, giving Westran a 22-21 lead.
Scotland County responded with another sustained rushing possession, moving the ball with Long and Brock McDonald before McDonald finished from a yard out. The extra point missed, but the Tigers carried a 27-22 lead into the fourth quarter.
Westran threatened to move back in front, advancing deep into Tiger territory before Scotland County’s defense pushed the Hornets backward. On third-and-long, McDonald intercepted Kallmeyer in the end zone, making a one-handed catch and taking a knee for a touchback to protect the five-point lead.
The Tigers eventually added the separation they needed with 1:02 remaining, when Jaden Bergeson pushed into the end zone on a 1-yard quarterback keeper. Small’s extra point stretched the lead to 34-22, and Nelson finished the scoring by intercepting a pass and returning it for a touchdown with 23 seconds left.
McDonald contributed an unofficial 89 yards and a touchdown on 13 carries in addition to his interception. Cowen Small added 35 rushing yards on two attempts, while Brody Wheeler and Craig Pflum accounted for Scotland County’s fumble recoveries.
For Westran, Wells finished with an unofficial 65 rushing yards and 108 receiving yards, scoring once on the ground and once through the air. Winterbower added three receptions for 49 yards and a touchdown, while Tiernan Mooneyham caught three passes for 63 yards. The Hornets fell to 4-4 with the loss.
Scotland County returns home to face Clark County in the regular-season finale, with district positioning still part of the stakes. Stott said the Tigers’ attention remains on the opponent in front of them as they work toward securing home field advantage.
“We’re playing for home field advantage in the district,” Stott said. “So we’re focused on whoever we play that week. We’re not good enough to look ahead and see who we’re playing two games ahead and start scouting and trying to game plan.”
Photo courtesy for this story provided by Ryan Bergeson
(This game recap is presented based upon the coverage of the Hometown Radio Sports Network. Any statistics given should be deemed as unofficial.)
Click here to listen to the broadcast of this game.
