Back-and-forth contest capped with Hernandez pick

By Kyle Troutman ktroutman@cherryroad.com

It was one of the most back-and-forth district quarterfinal games in recent memory, and the Cassville football team wrestled its way to a 24-21 win over Aurora on Friday.

Strictly on points, the game was won by a 27-yard Peter Littlefield field goal after Cassville covered 50 yards on a drive with 4:34 left in the opening frame.

Momentum-wise, there were two high points, one in the second quarter and one in the fourth.

In a boom-boom-boom series of plays, Aurora recovered its second onside kick of the first half, but a wayward pass was picked off by Joseph Burton and returned to midfield, where Bodee Rose dropped a 20-yard dime to Trey Wilson for a 50-yard touchdown reception and 17-7 lead.

In the second half, the Houn’ Dawgs took a 21-17 lead midway through the third, and Cassville drove to attempt a 22-yard field goal that swung wide left.

In the final frame, after giving up two first downs and making a big defensive stand, the Wildcats created a weaving lane for Rose to sprint 60 yards to paydirt to put Cassville back on top.

While the score did not change from there, plenty of moments raised coaches’ and fans’ blood pressure. After a Wilson punt return following a Hernandez block moved the ball to Aurora’s 35, a run from Bryson Jacobson ended with a stripped ball and going the Houn’ Dawgs’ way. 

Hernandez provided the final nail in the coffin with an interception on a Hail Mary pass with just over a minute left. With Aurora having only one timeout, the Wildcats knelt out the clock from there.

Cassville hits the road next week for district semifinal action, facing top-seeded Reeds Spring at 7 p.m.