Lake Hamilton holds off El Dorado 27-21

By Tony Burns

Sports Editor

PEARCY – Lake Hamilton scored two defensive touchdowns on turnovers and a muffed punt led to another score, as the Wolves upended El Dorado 27-21 Friday night in the 6A-West opener.

Both teams are now 2-2 on the season.

“I don’t think I’ve ever had a . . . better not say anything,” said El Dorado coach Scott Reed.

“That should never happen. We had some kids play really hard. I was really pleased with our defense, especially in the first half.

"When you give a team life that is searching for a win and is trying hard, you’re going to be in for a battle. Quite honestly, we deserved what we got. We have to play better. We’ve got to do the things that good teams do to win ballgames and right now, we’re not doing it.”

El Dorado had four turnovers in the game. Lake Hamilton took advantage of three first-half turnovers and led 14-7 at the intermission.

The Wildcats drew first blood with Darius Holly’s 1-yard run with 17.7 seconds left in the first quarter. The score was set up by Holly's 82-yard pass to Jaylen Green, who was dragged down at the 1. Brennan Claypoole added the PAT.

The Wolves answered with a defensive score as Josh Nichols returned Holly’s fumble 30 yards to paydirt. Jack Johnson added the kick, tying the game with 5:16 left in the second quarter.

Lake Hamilton would take advantage of another El Dorado miscue just before the half.

The Wildcats stuffed the Wolves on third-and-2 to force a punt. But, Blake Cunningham muffed the catch and Lake Hamilton’s Hunter Galster recovered at the EHS 44.

Defavioun Haywood picked up 13 yards to convert a fourth-and-3. Two plays later, Haywood faked a pitch and then tossed to fullback Johnathan Buss for a 10-yard touchdown with 14.9 seconds left in the half.

The Wildcats opened the third quarter with a 51-yard drive, thanks to Shun Levingston’s 39-yard return to the 49.

Holly would score on a 7-yard run. Claypoole added the PAT to tie the game with 9:17 left in the third.

El Dorado’s defense held, but disaster struck the offense again, as Holly’s pass was broken up by a big hit. The ball bounced into the arms of the Wolves’ Kanaan Williams, who returned it 25 yards for the touchdown.

The kick gave the Wolves a 21-14 lead with 1:36 left in the third.

The Wildcats struck back, faking a double reverse before Holly found Blake Cunningham for a 69-yard touchdown pass. Claypoole’s kick tied the game at 21-21 with 58 seconds left in the third.

Lake Hamilton answered with a 57-yard drive in 10 plays. On fourth-and-goal, Haywood scored on a 3-yard run. The PAT was wide, leaving the score at 27-21 with 7:56 left in the game.

El Dorado took the ball from its own 22 to Lake Hamilton’s 35 before being faced with a fourth-and-7. Gage Montgomery blitzed in to sack Holly and end the threat.

The Wolves ran out the clock, converting a fourth-and-1 with 2:21 remaining on Johnson’s 11-yard run.

Buss rushed for 101 yards on 26 carries for the Wolves.

For El Dorado, Holly completed 11-of-15 passes for 215 yards.

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