Lindale takes wild opening win over Hallsville

Published 12:22 am Friday, August 30, 2024

LINDALE — Lindale Coach Chris Cochran, a 2000 Hallsville High School graduate, remained unbeaten against his alma mater as his Eagles scored a 35-27 opening football season win over the Bobcats on Thursday at Eagle Stadium.

Both teams made plays as the crowd was thoroughly entertained by both clubs. The offenses were in gear and the defenses came through with turnovers and big hits as Cochran moved to 3-0 against Hallsville.

There were a lot of new faces on both sides of the field.

Hallsville showed it is ready to score points after averaging 16 points a game last season and Lindale’s convocation of fresh-faced Eagles proved they can play.

The Eagle offensive line paved the way for the thunder (Hayden Gateley) and lightning (A’Million Johnson) running back tandem.

On the Bobcat side, it was speedster JaCayden Bolden with the dashes.

Gateley, a sophomore, powered his way to 159 yards and a 1-yard TD on 21 carries, while Johnson, a junior, sped to 113 yards and two long TD runs of 42 and 50 yards on seven attempts.

Sophomore David Lindig got his first start at quarterback, hitting on 9 of 19 passing attempts for 85 yards.

Other TDs for the Eagles were Jackson Legrow (1-yard run) and Lindig (1-yard run).

Lindig’s TD was set up by Chad Ward’s electric kickoff return that began five yards deep in the end zone until he reached the Bobcat 34. Eight plays later Lindig was in the end zone.

Thunderleg Seth Baggett was 5 for 5 on extra point attempts for the Eagles. His punting also kept the Bobcats pinned up, plus he was 5 of 6 of kicking out of the end zone on kickoffs.

For Hallsville, Bolden was fantastic, rushing for 215 yards and three TDs on runs of 91, 42 and 2 yards.

His 91-yard dash was not only the Bobcats’ first time of moving the ball after two three-and-outs but also he ran untouched right up the middle.

Placekicker Oliver Dilday kicked three PATs and a 44-yard field goal, while teammate Chris Meagher made a 36-yard FG, which pulled the Bobcats within 35-27 with 24 seconds left in the third quarter.

Tight end Eli Solis had three catches for 109 yards for the Bobcats, including a 78-yarder.

After the scorefest in the first three quarters, the defenses held strong in the final period.

The key play to keep the game in Lindale’s corner came with 7:30 showing in the fourth quarter eiyh Lindale up 35-27. It appeared QB Joel Hale was about to score for Hallsville, only to be hit by Aiden Warnell, forcing a fumble and Matthew Kenney recovered in the end zone.

Hallsville had one more chance but Warnell picked off a pass to clinch the win.

Hudson Legrow’s leaping interception in the second quarter set up Gateley’s TD. He jumped high to snag the ball at the 43 and return it to the Hallsville eight.

Later, Andre Foster made an incredible interception, outfighting the Bobcat receiver for the pickoff.

In the second quarter, Hallsville had a big defensive play as Chris Hutton chased down Lindig, causing a fumble and teammate Jayten McIntosh recovered the fumble to set up Dilday’s FG.

The Eagles hit the road next week to face the Mount Pleasant Tigers. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 6 at Sam Parker Field.

The Bobcats will have their home opener, hosting Crandall at Bobcat Stadium in a 7:30 p.m. kickoff on Friday, Sept. 6.