Hornets overcome early struggles for big road win
CABOT -- The Bryant Hornets (7-1, 5-0) quest for a fifth-straight undefeated conference season continued Friday with a 35-17 win over Cabot in Week 8.
“Cabot is just young and inexperienced at some important positions,” said Head Coach Quad Sanders. “It is always going to be a great game with Cabot.”
The road tilt began sluggish for the Hornets as Cabot would lead 3-0 with 4:14 left in the first quarter after hitting a 38-yard field goal.
The boot would come moments after Cabot intercepted Bryant quarterback Jordan Walker on the Hornets first drive.
“You have to try and counter what they are trying to do and figure out what works,” Sanders said. “Sometimes you can go in and dominate but when you go in against good teams ... you have to adjust to it.”
Trailing 3-0 after the first, Bryant would finally string things together in the second quarter.
Starting at Cabot’s 28, the Hornets would use two plays to find pay dirt as Walker found receiver Shawn Rycraw wide open for the 72-yard pass and catch. Bryant would lead 7-3 with 8:35 to go in the half
The Hornets would not trail again.
With just under 5 minutes to go, Bryant would lean on Walker again, this time finding Conner
Ratliff from 15 yards for the score and a 14-3 lead.
The Hornets would take the two possession lead into the break.
Starting the second half with a sack fumble and recovery, Cabot would march the field on its first series before scoring on a 5-yard run to trim the Hornets lead down to 14-10 with 7:32 left in the third.
Running back James Martin would answer quickly, however, sprinting 48 yards for the score to move the Hornets ahead 21-10 with 5:27 still in the third.
Cabot, though, would not go away as it added a second score in the frame, again cutting the Hornets lead to only 4 at 21-17.
Bryant would turn the ball over on downs next before making a stop and letting Martin go 84 yards for his second score. Bryant would lead 28-17 with 7:30 to tick in the game.
Walker would put things away later on a 1-yard keep to make it 35-17 Hornets.
Bryant ended the game with a defensive interception, sealing the deal in Week 8.
The Hornets defense allowed two scores and forced two interceptions in the win.
“We have to do a good job on capitalizing on opportunities,” Sanders said. “As far as executing the game plan, they did a phenomenal job.”
Martin rushed for 189 yards and two scores
in the win, leading the Hornets offense all night.
“They did what they do, they run,” Sanders said. “The offensive line did what they were supposed to do. Once we got the running game going thats when we start rolling.”
Walker finished his night with 192 passing yards and two scores through the air while also adding a score on the ground. Walker would also commit two turnovers with an interception and lost fumble in the
win.
The Hornets will return home in Week 9 as North Little Rock looms.
Bryant’s last loss in 7A Central action came in Week 9 of the 2018 season against none other than the Charging Wildcats.
Opening kick is set for 7 p.m. at Hornet Stadium.