Trailing by 6 points in overtime and needing a touchdown to tie, Hancock County quarterback Ayden Rice barreled his way into the end zone like a man possessed. Going for the 2-point conversion to end the game on the ensuing play, the Cougars converted to prevent Hopkins County Central’s comeback attempt, winning 48-46.
Despite leading by 24-0 and 32-8 early in the second quarter, the Cougars couldn’t find a way to put Hopkins County Central away, leading to their overtime heroics.
Trokoby Gill put the Cougars on the board early, running it in from 17 yards out. Rice ran in the 2-point attempt to put McLean County up 8-0. Less than three minutes later, Aden Bolden scored his first of two rushing touchdowns, this one from 4 yards out. Rice found Houston Whitaker on the 2-point attempt to make it 16-0 with 6:39 left in the opening frame.
Four minutes later Hunter Stratton gave the Cougars a commanding 24-0 lead after running it in from 10 yards out and then scoring on the 2-point attempt. Hopkins County Central cut the lead to 24-8 less than a minute into the second quarter.
Unfazed, Bolden responded by ripping off a 49-yard touchdown run, and then Walters scored on the 2-point attempt to make it 32-8. On their next drive, Hopkins County Central scored on a 15-yard TD pass and then converted the 2-point play.
Rice then threw an interception that was taken 80 yards to the house. A successful 2-point conversion cut the Cougars lead to eight with 1:03 left in the first half.
Walters put the Cougars up 40-24 with 6:39 left in the third quarter, running it in from 28 yards out and then converting on the 2-point attempt. But as they had done all night long, Hopkins County Central responded. Less than 90 seconds later, HCC cut the lead to eight, running in another touchdown and then converting on the 2-point attempt.
With 1:01 left in the game, Hopkins County Central tied it to force overtime. Starting with the ball in OT, the Storm scored, but for the first time all night failed to convert on the 2-point attempt, setting the stage for McLean to win it.
Sitting at 4-3, the Cougars have a bye week during Fall Break, allowing them to rest and prepare for their road matchup with Webster County in 2 weeks.
