WESSON — With a Region 6-2A championship on the line, thePuckett Wolves and Wesson Cobras met Friday night in a highlyanticipated contest at Stone Stadium on the Co-Lin campus. Puckettrode the bulldozer-runs of Desmond Anderson to a 21-16 victory asthe Wolves handed Wesson its first loss in 10 games. Andersonrushed for over 251 yards and 3 touchdowns.

Puckett (8-2, 4-1) and Wesson (9-1, 4-1) are both at home for thefirst round of the state playoffs that begin Friday.

Wesson coach Tommy Clopton had this to say. “Our kids played anextremely hard-fought ballgame. We overcame a lot of our ownmistakes and had a chance to win it at the end.

“We have to put it behind us and get ready for the playoffs nextweek.”

Puckett took the opening kickoff and started a 16-play, clock-eating, scoring drive. Aided by three Cobra penalties the Wolvesmoved the ball to the Wesson 3-yard line where Anderson, wouldcarry it in for the first points at the 4:18 mark. The PAT was nogood and Puckett led 6-0.

Wesson’s got a Kyle Cross kickoff return to the Cobra 25 and Wessonstarted their first offensive series. On the second play fromscrimmage running back Gage Wilson hit Puckett for a 21-yard gainbut was stripped of the ball at the Cobra 46. Puckett recovered theball and was in good field position. The Cobra defense dug in andheld on a fourth and twelve and took over on their own 31.

After an 8-play drive, which included a Matt Smith, pass to PaxtonCupit for 20 yards, an intended Smith pass to DJ Coleman wasintercepted in the end zone by the Wolves.

After a 9-play drive highlighted by Anderson’s 43-yard run,Puckett’s Jeremy Polk kicked a 22-yard field goal, making the score9-0 with 3:30 left in the half.

On the ensuing kickoff, Cross had a spectacular 55-yard return toset up the Cobras on Puckett’s 37-yard line. But on 4th and 9 fromthe 18, the Wolves’ defense swarmed Smith for a sack at the33..

In the second half, Wesson drove to Puckett’s 25-yard line but wasforced to turn it over on downs. On Puckett’s second play, Andersonran 76 yards for another Wolves score. The PAT was no good andPuckett led 15-0.

Starting on their own 35-yard line, the Cobras used 7 plays and aPuckett pass interference call to move to the Wolves’ 18 yard line.Smith hooked up with senior tight end Patrick Boone, for an 18-yardtouchdown. After a high snap on the PAT kick attempt, Smith pickedup the loose ball and scrambling found a wide open Boone to convertfor 2 points. At the 4:00 mark in the third, Wessontrailed15-8.

Puckett responded and used 11 plays and drove 53 yards to score onan Anderson 2-yard run. After a failed PAT the Wolves led 21-8 at7:09 in the fourth quarter.

Payton Cupit returned the ensuing kickoff 20 yards to the Wolves 46and the Cobras went to work. Smith hooked up with Paxton Cupit on apass to the 9-yard line and then hit DJ Coleman to put the ball atthe goal line. Junior running back Steve Jones then punched it infor the TD.

Smith hit Paxton Cupit on a pass for the 2 points and the score was21-16 with 6:12 left in the game.

Wesson’s defense dug deep and held the Wolves on 4th down and 4 onthe Cobra 27 with 2:01 left. Wesson was fired up. After anincomplete pass to Cross, Smith hit Paxton Cupit for a 27 yards toPuckett’s 46-yard line. An interference call on the next playagainst Puckett got the ball moved to the Wolves’ 39. A 21-yardreverse by Coleman got the ball down to the 18.

After three incomplete pass plays, the Cobras faced 4th and 10 fromthe 18. Coleman made an athletic catch from Smith that appeared tobe a first down at the Wolves’ 7-yard line with 31 secondsleft.

However a flag was thrown on an invisible hold against the Cobrasand backed them up 10 yards from the previous spot. Facing 4th and20 with the game on the line, the Cobras called another pass play.Puckett defenders stormed through the line and were able to gettheir hands on Smith for the sack with 23 seconds left.

Leading the Wesson offense was Gage Wilson with 6 rushes for 56yards. Jones had 9 rushes for 33 yards and Coleman had 1 rush for21 yards. In passing, Smith was 7 for 13 for 137 yards with 1touchdown and 1 interception.

Leading the Wolves was Anderson with 28 carries for 251 yards and 3touchdowns.