Big second half send Bobcats past Lafayette

Woodland bounced back in a big way after a 6-0 first quarter deficit, as the Bobcats thumped Lafayette 40-18 thanks to a strong second half.

Woodland got second-quarter touchdown runs from Justus Herring and Tyler Gay to take a slim 14-12 lead.

Then with time winding down in the first John David Jacobs and Hunter Henry combined to sack Lafayette quarterback Cordeski Floyd on fourth down. The stop gave Woodland the ball near midfield with under a minute to play.

Gay took advantage of that time as he connected with Nathan Parker on a 20-yard touchdown pass that gave Woodland a 21-12 halftime lead and plenty of momentum for the second half.

It was part of a stretch of 32 unanswered points for the Bobcats as they secured their third straight win.

“Before the game we knew if we were going to have a chance to throw the ball we were going to have to run the ball,” said Woodland head coach Randy Boyd. “We ran the ball well, and that opened up play action for us in the second half.”

Gay added two more touchdown passes in the second half – both to John David Jacobs – as he complete 9-of-11 passes for 128 yards and three scores.

He also rushed 15 times for 82 yards and another touchdown.

“The last few ballgames he’s been one of the difference makers because he’s making better decisions at quarterback, and it’s helping us out a whole lot,” Boyd said.

Herring finished with a team-high100 yards on 10 carries. Kendall Hudson had 76 yards and fourth quarter touchdown on 10 carries.

Woodland maintained control of its own fate in the Class 2A, Region 5 race, and the Bobcats are now one win away from clinching an 11th straight playoff spot. 

“I’m proud of these guys,” said Woodland head coach Randy Boyd. “There’s a lot of people that didn’t expect them to be in this position right now, that didn’t expect them to have a chance to make the playoffs.”

And if they win their three remaining region games against Reeltown, Horseshoe Bend and Ranburne, they will win the region championship.

“That’s the main thing that I’ve been preaching to the kids. We control our own destiny. We don’t have to depend on anybody. Us, Reeltown, Ranburne and Wedowee still have a shot at being number one [in the region]. So it will be a big win for us if we can beat Reeltown.”

It will be a tough task as Reeltown comes in with impressive wins over 4A schools Dadeville, Childersburg and Elmore County on its resume.

Boyd said his players won’t be fazed by Reeltown’s record.

“They believe in themselves, and they believe they can win,” he said. “Football’s about 90 percent mental, so if you think you can win and go out and produce, you’re probably going to win. Hopefully we can take care of business and hopefully I can be talking to you next week about a win against Reeltown.”