Hibriten wins while South and West Caldwell falter
Oct. 3—The Hibriten Panthers traveled to Morganton, where they picked up their first conference win of the season, holding off the Freedom Patriots 35-33 in overtime.
The Panthers were coming off back-to-back non-conference losses and had battled injuries and sickness for a short time.
Freedom struck first in the opening stanza on a 24-yard touchdown pass, but the point-after attempt failed, and the Patriots led 6-0 in the first quarter.
With seven minutes left in the first quarter, the Panthers answered with a 53-yard rush touchdown before tacking on the PAT to take a 7-6 lead.
The Patriots took the lead back on a pass play totaling 91 yards, then added a two-point conversion to take a 14-7 advantage.
A Hibriten fumble at its own 26-yard line led to a Patriot rushing touchdown that stretched the Freedom lead to 21-7 at the eight-minute mark in the second quarter.
Down, but not out, the Panthers started to claw their way back into the game.
The Panthers carried the ball into the end zone from seven yards out and added the PAT to draw closer with one minute left in the half at 21-14.
Senior Gabe Suddreth then scored a touchdown from the two-yard line in the fourth quarter, and after the PAT, the game was tied 21-21.
Freedom added six more points on a 21-yard pass play to go ahead 27-21 after the PAT failed, and on the ensuing drive, Hibriten quarterback, sophomore Avin Crawford, completed a 12-yard touchdown pass to senior Dylan Earp.
Even though the Panthers missed the point after attempt, the score was tied 27-27 at the end of regulation.
Before overtime, the Patriots won the coin toss and chose to play on defense first.
Two plays later, D.K. Mitchell scored from three yards out, and as the Panthers sent their extra-point team out, a Freedom player jumped offside.
The Panther offense returned to the field, and Suddreth scored the two-point conversion to give the Panthers a 35-27 lead.
However, the Patriots would answer, scoring a touchdown on third down.
The Patriots then went for the two-point conversion to tie the game that failed when a pass fell incomplete, which gave the Panthers a 35-33 win for their first conference victory on the season.
Hibriten head coach Sam Mackey said he was proud of the Panthers' toughness and resilience throughout the game.
"I am very proud of our kids' toughness and grit. Freedom is a very good football team with great athletes," Mackey said.
The Panthers will next travel to Ashe County for a conference battle with the Huskies, who lost on the road to Alexander-Central (3-3, 1-0) 41-35 in overtime.
South and West CaldwellThe South Caldwell Spartans (3-3, 0-1) suffered a 49-7 loss against Watauga and will next host the Patriots (1-5, 0-1).
The West Caldwell Warriors lost 51-7 against Maiden, dropping to 0-6 overall and 0-3 in conference play. The Warriors will host Lincolnton (2-4, 2-1) on Friday.
