Athens stumbles against Palestine and falls, 46-29
The Athens Hornets fell behind early Friday night and could never catch up as they dropped their District 9-4A game to Palestine, 46-29.
The Hornets fought back from the slow start and key penalties to pull to within 10 in the third quarter when Ty Arroyo hit Jorien Ray across the middle and Ray raced 50 yards for a touchdown. The pair then connected again on the 2-point conversion to cut the Wildcats' lead to 32-22.
The Athens defense followed that up by forcing Palestine to punt after a three-and-out and it looked like the Hornets would have a chance to close the gap even further, but a muffed punt put the ball on the Athens 2 yard line. On the first play of the series, the Hornets threw a Pick 6 to push Palestine's lead to 39-22. The Hornets never again got within striking distance.
Jorien Ray had a huge game for the Hornets, catching 10 passes for 167 yards and three touchdowns (6, 75, 50).
Jecorey Roberts added 109 yards on the ground on 21 carries.
The Hornets rolled up more than 500 yards of offense on the night, including seven plays of 25 yards or more.
The Hornet defense had two takeaways with fumble recoveries by Hunter White and Gage Friedrich.
The loss drops the Hornets' record to 4-4, 0-4. Athens will travel to Kilgore next week to take on the 7-1 Bulldogs.
SCORING SUMMARY
PALESTINE (1Q 10:57): Jerrod Walker 1-yard run. Kick no good. 6-0
PALESTINE (1Q 6:23): Jerrod Walker 51-yard pass to Benjamin Clerkley. 2pt attempt no good. 12-0
ATHENS (1Q 5:15): Ty Arroyo 6-yard pass to Jorien Ray. Zsaid Inestroza kick good. 12-7
PALESTINE (1Q 1:29): Taj'shawn Wilson 12-yard run. Kick no good. 18-7
PALESTINE (2Q 6:03): Taj'shawn Wilson 29-yard run. Kick good. 25-7
ATHENS (2Q 5:51): Jaden Crane 75-yard pass to Jorien Ray. Zsaid Inestroza kick good. 25-14
PALESTINE (2Q 3:07): Shedrick Dudley 3-yard run. Kick good. 32-14
ATHENS (3Q 2:47): Ty Arroyo 50-yard pass to Jorien Ray. Arroyo to Ray 2pt pass good. 32-22
PALESTINE (3Q 0:43): Benjamin Clerkley 4-yard interception return. Kick good. 39-22
PALESTINE (4Q 7:49): Jerrod Walker 4-yard run. Kick good. 46-22
ATHENS (4Q 0:28): Daniel Stanley 42-yard pass to Jaden Crane. 46-29
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