Hillcrest lost to Prattville 38-31 in a close, high-scoring game that ended in heartbreak for the Patriots, falling just one yard short.

 

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This thriller began with a slow, low-scoring first half. The first quarter was marked by a single score from Prattville’s defense during Hillcrest’s opening drive. Senior defensive end Callahan Minor of Prattville returned a strip sack for 40 yards, scoring the first points of the game. After the point after touchdown (PAT), Prattville led by seven with 7:30 remaining in the first quarter.

 

Hillcrest responded with a field goal after Prattville halted the Patriots’ seven-minute drive. Despite advancing inside the Lions’ 20-yard line, the Patriots were unable to score a touchdown. This resulted in a 30-yard field goal by senior kicker Elijah Miller, making the score 7-3 with 11:58 remaining in the first quarter.

 

Hillcrest’s defense spent the entire first quarter on the sidelines while its offense retained possession of the ball with two lengthy drives. However, they excelled in the second quarter. Their offense encountered difficulties when they fumbled a punt return, allowing Prattville’s offense to take over at midfield. Fortunately, Hillcrest’s defense, led by Alabama 2026 commit Zay Hall, quickly responded by forcing a stop and giving the ball back to their offense.

 

Hillcrest rewarded its defense for its crucial stop with a 50-yard touchdown pass from junior quarterback Jordan Shambley. He connected with star wide receiver Kahdan Smith, a 2026 Vanderbilt commit, giving the Patriots their first lead of the game at 10-7 with 3:39 remaining in the half.

 

Prattville managed to even it up at 10 before the end of the Half with a 25-yard field goal from Lions’ senior kicker Paxton Genola to make it a tied ball game going into halftime.

 

The second half began with an interception by senior defensive back Devon Jones, marking his second pick of the game; he had his first in the first half. This interception gave the Patriots possession at the Lions’ 24-yard line, which led to a five-yard rushing touchdown by Hillcrest’s senior running back, Dejaun Johnson. This score put the Patriots ahead 17-10 with 8:20 remaining in the third quarter.

 

Prattville responded with a touchdown after a pass interference call against the Hillcrest defense on the Lions’ 4th & 10. This penalty granted Prattville a new set of downs inside the Patriots’ 20-yard line. A few plays later, Lions’ senior running back Tristan Blackmon scored from one yard out, tying the game at 17 with 4:17 remaining in the third quarter.

 

The score stayed tied until the fourth quarter, when Blackmon scored his second touchdown of the night from one yard out to give Prattville their first lead since the second quarter. This didn’t last long, though, with Hillcrest scoring on their very next drive thanks to a 30-yard reception from the Vandy wide receiver commit, who set the Patriots up at the Lions’ 17-yard line. On the next play, Shambley found Hillcrest senior wide receiver Trenton Curley for a 17-yard touchdown to score even at 24, with 9:24 remaining in the contest.

 

The Patriots’ defense made a crucial stop, leading to Shambley’s third touchdown pass of the day, this one to Smith, who made an incredible effort to secure his second touchdown of the game. This put Hillcrest back ahead by seven with 5:10 left in the fourth quarter.

 

Prattville staged a comeback with a crucial drive that featured a pivotal fourth-and-two conversion. This set the stage for a two-yard touchdown pass from sophomore quarterback Clay McKay to junior wide receiver Deshawn Hall. This touchdown tied the game at 31, leading to overtime.

 

The Lions received the ball first in overtime and quickly scored on their very first play with a 20-yard rushing touchdown from Blackmon, marking his third touchdown of the day. This put Prattville ahead 38-31, leaving Hillcrest needing a touchdown to force a second overtime. However, as in the first half, the Lions’ goal-line defense proved too strong. Shambley was stopped at the one-yard line on 4th and goal, bringing this thrilling 7A matchup to a close.

 

Hillcrest will fall to a 5-4 record, making their chances of reaching the playoffs nearly impossible due to their 2-4 record in 7A play. However, a win against Oak Mountain next Friday on Senior Night could provide a positive conclusion to their second year in 7A. This victory would not only give the team something to build on for the next season, but it would also offer the seniors, who have helped lay the foundation for this football program, a reason to feel proud in their final games at Hillcrest.

 

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