MADISON – Bogue Chitto senior Chris “Speedy” Hall scored threetouchdown, while for rushing 255 yards as the Bobcats held off theSt Joseph Bruins 34-24 Friday night in the season-opening footballgame.

“It is good to get the win,” said Bogue Chitto head coach GarethSartin. “We managed to score enough points in the second and thirdquarters to hold on to the victory.”

St Joe scored the game’s first touchdown on a blocked punt, whichwas picked up by William Featherson and return for a 12-yard TDwith 7 minutes left in the first quarter taking a 6-0 lead.

The Bobcats’ defense steped up their game after that touchdown anddid not allow the Bruins to score the rest of the first half.

The offense of Bogue Chitto managed to wear down St Joe’s defensein the second quarter. As a result, the Bobcats scored threetouchdowns after the 2:25 mark. The first was by James Blackwell ona 4-yard run with 2:23 left. The second was a 46-yard run by Hallwith 1:07 showing. The last touchdown was by Colton McClendon on a44-yard run with 41 seconds left. Garrett Wallace went 3-for-3 inPAT’s giving BC a 21-6 led at the end of the first half.

“Chris Hall and Colton McClendon did a very good job running theball,” continued Sartin.

In the second half, the third quarter started off as a seesawbattle, with BC scoring on the first play. Hall ran 75 yards at11:42. St Joe managed to get their offense going to battle backwith a quick 20-yard strike from Peyton Willoughby to Gabe Phalenwith 8:14 left. The Bruins went for the 2-point conversion with arun attempt but failed.

Hall scored his final touchdown of the game on a 29-yard run with4:48 left. David LeMoine of St Joe scored on a 2-yard plunge with57 sec left in the third. BC led 34-18.

St Joe’s offense started to come alive in the fourth quarter withthe help of Willoughby engineering the comeback. Willoughby passedto E.J. Martin for a 62-yard TD. The Bruins went for two again butit was a failed pass attempt.

The Bobcats’ defense managed to retrieve enough strength to holdoff the St Joe’s late rally with a key interception by MichaelMartin to stop another scoring drive. Then ??? knocks down a passat the end to kill St Joes final drive.

“We started to run out of gas in the fourth and we were fortunatethat we were able to make some key stops at the end,” addedSartin

Defensively, James Blackwell and Kevin Brothern led the Bobcatswith 5 tackles apiece. Jeremy Blackwell, Frank Thigpen andJeremaine Blackwell also contributed 4 tackles apiece. Jake Bradleyand James Blackwell intercepted a pass. Shiloh Martin recovered afumble.

“We got whipped from start to finish,” said St Joes head coach FlipGodfrey. “Bogue Chitto deserves to win. We did not play to ourpotential tonight.”