Hibriten 21
Alexander Central 19
Hibriten handed a short handed Alexander Central team their 3rd straight loss Friday night in Lenoir. The Cougars playing with a shortened roster due to injuries took an early lead to see the Panthers take control of the Northwestern matchup.
The Cougars took advantage of a Hibriten fumble in the first quarter going 56 yards in 5 plays capped by Andrew Bumgarner’s 5 yard run. The extra point clanged off the upright and the Blue and Gold led 6-0 with 5:37 remaining in the opening period.
Alexander Central would score again with 10:56 remaining in the 2nd period on quarterback Tanner Moore’s 1 yard plunge. The Cougars went for two but Moore was sacked leaving the score at 12-0 in favor of the visitors.
Hibriten would score with 52 seconds remaining in the first half when Dillon Earp carried the ball into the end zone from 8 yards. The Panthers converted and trailed 12-7 at the half.
The home team would dominate the 3rd quarter scoring twice on Sadharri Moore’s 16 yard run and a 22 yard scamper by Duder Tugman. The Panthers carried a 21-12 lead into the final quarter.
The Cougars moved the ball inside the Hibriten 5 yard-line early in the 4th quarter but were denied on 4th down. AC’s defense stiffened and the Cougars went 85 yards in 12 plays capped by Daniel Specht out- wresteling a Panther defender for a 16-yard touchdown pass from Tanner Moore with 1:13 seconds remaining.
Hibriten recovered the Cougar onside kick to seal the victory.
The Panthers showed a slight edge in total yards 286-265. Tanner Moore was 11-17 for 116 yards passing and a touchdown for ACHS. Dalton Beck led the Cougar defense with 11 tackles.
Alexander Central falls to 4-5, Hibriten improves to 5-3.
Freedom will visit Taylorsville next Friday for the regular season finale.
Area Scores
Waauga 41 Freedom 0
South Caldwell 30 Ashe County 6
Statesville 57 St Stephens 14
Hickory 64 Foard 14
East Lincoln 42 North Iredell 0
West Lincoln 16 East Burke 14
North Lincoln 50 West Iredell 0
Bunker Hill 27 Newton Conover 13
Maiden 27 Lincolnton 7
Bandys 37 West Caldwell 26
Mooresville 14 A.L. Brown 6
Lake Norman 25 South Iredell 14
Forbush 35 North Wilkes 6
Chase 52 Patton 8
Shelby 62 East Gaston 28
Crest 57 Huss 6
Cramer 49 North Gaston 14
AC Reynolds 53 TC Roberson 0
Asheville Erwin 25 McDowell 14
Burns 47 Cherryville 0
Saturday
Polk County 30 Draughn 0