Mistakes cost Hartselle in overtime loss to Muscle Shoals
Oct. 7—HARTSELLE — For the third week in a row, the Hartselle Tigers attempted a late-game comeback.
This time, however, it fell short as the Tigers couldn't overcome a litany of mistakes, ultimately falling in double overtime 55-49.
"We had an uncharacteristic game," Hartselle had coach Bryan Moore said. "We're not good enough to make as many mistakes as we did and beat a team like that. Not many teams are."
Hartselle started as hot as could be, scoring three straight touchdowns to take a 21-0 lead.
Mistakes would rear their early head though as Hartselle committed three turnovers, including fumbles at their own 26 and 4 yard lines, to allow the Trojans back in the game.
By halftime Muscle Shoals had cut the lead to 21-14, and on the first drive of the second half, the Trojans tied it.
From there it was a back-and-forth affair until Muscle Shoals took a 42-35 lead.
Improbably, Hartselle tied the game with just 14 seconds left when Noah Lee connected with Ri Fletcher for a 40-yard touchdown to send the game to overtime.
"I thought we played better offensively than we have all season," Moore said. "That play at the end to tie it was nothing short of amazing. We just ran out of gas."
The two teams traded touchdowns in the first overtime, but Muscle Shoals took the win in the second extra period on a one-yard touchdown.
Hartselle's Ri Fletcher, who had been the Trojan killer the past two seasons, did his best to carry the team again Friday night. The senior finished with 213 total yards of offense and four touchdowns.
Quarterback Noah Lee had a three-yard touchdown run and a four-yard pass to Markus Tapscott. Lincoln Bryant added a two-yard run.
Moore's message after the game was a quick turnaround. A win at home vs. Athens next week will still net the Tigers a home playoff game.
"The road is really not any tougher as long as we win next week and have the playoffs run through here," Moore said. "We're going to lick our wounds a bit, and get back on Monday ready to go."
—caleb.suggs@decaturdaily.com or 256-340-2395. Twitter @CalebSuggs2
