ATLANTA — The clock finally struck midnight on the Cook Hornets Saturday, as their improbable postseason came to an end in the Georgia Dome.
Lovett handed Cook (9-4) its fourth and final loss of the season, 29-16.
The Hornets struggled through three quarters, and when the tides began to turn in the Hornets’ favor, it was too late. Cook put together great plays to score 16 points in the fourth, but it was only after the Lions had put 29 unanswered points on the board.
The Lions came out firing on all cylinders after beating the Region 1-A champion Thomasville Bulldogs last week. The fourth seed from 1-A, Cook, had won three straight games as the underdogs, but the Lions proved to be too much for the young Hornet squad.
Lovett was able to score on their first three drives of the game, and one of Cook’s drives, to open up a big early lead. The Lions’ first score came on a 24-yard touchdown pass from Jonathon Carkhuff to Drew Stockton.
On their next drive, they scored again after forcing a second-straight Hornet punt. This time Carkhuff dove into the end zone from one yard out. With the extra point by Josh Miles, Lovett held a 14-0 lead with just over five minutes left before halftime.
On the Hornets’ ensuing drive, the Lions were able to score again, this time on a 67-yard interception return by Campbell Wilson. Lovett took the final drive of the half down the field for points as well.
With five seconds remaining, Wilson kicked a 34-yard field goal to give the Lions a 24-0 halftime lead. Cook tried to get some points on the board, but it would be the Lions that continued to score. Lovett scored two more points with 2:17 left in the third quarter when the Hornets lost a high snap on a punt try into their own end zone for a safety.
On Lovett’s following drive, Miles kicked another 34-yard field goal, giving the Lions a big 29-0 lead.
Once the fourth quarter started, the Hornets’ offense finally got going, and was able to put two scores together in under five minutes.
The first touchdown was a 1-yard dive by quarterback Trenton Payne. Tevin Sims ran in the two-point conversion and Cook was looking at a large deficit, 29-8.
On their next drive the Hornets scored again, this time on a 3-yard run into the endzone by Payne. The two-point conversion was successful and Cook was looking to be back in the game, 29-16.
But then the Lions’ offense ran out the clock.
Andre Hicks ran for 112 yards on 18 carries for Lovett. Shannon Brown led Cook with 125 yards rushing on 12 carries. Payne added 70 yards on nine carries.
Local Sports
Related Photos
-
Hubby Brooks/The Valdosta Daily Times
-
Hubby Brooks/The Valdosta Daily Times
Discussion
Cook Hornets’ Cinderella run ended by Lovett, 29-16
- Local Sports
-
-
Lady Packers beat Lowndes, 55-48
The Colquitt County Lady Packers handed the Lowndes Vikettes a second straight loss Tuesday night, 55-48.
Jamesia Jones led Lowndes with 10 points, while Courtne Washington had nine. Tasia Brown finished with eight. -
Braves unveil another alternate home uniform
Hank Aaron recognized the look. Just not the feel.
The Atlanta Braves unveiled a new alternate home uniform Monday that is based on the attire worn when the team moved from Milwaukee in 1966, with Aaron as its biggest star. -
Valdosta native Garland named to Armstrong Atlantic HOF
Armstrong Atlantic State University has announced its latest induction class for the Armstrong Atlantic State University Athletic Hall of Fame. Among the six inductees and one Service Citation award winner is Valdosta native Nikki Garland, who ran cross county and track and field with the Pirates.
-
Freeman, Trojans finalize '12 schedule
The Brooks County Trojans’ football motto is to ‘bring the hammer’ each and every Friday night.
Well, the Trojans now know exactly who they will have to bring that hammer to this upcoming season, as head coach Maurice Freeman recently finalized Brooks County’s 2012 football schedule. -
New York wins Super Bowl
Eli Manning and the Giants one-upped Tom Brady and the Patriots again, coming back with a last-minute touchdown to beat New England 21-17 Sunday night for New York’s fourth Super Bowl title.
- Super Bowl boosts Indy’s image
-
Blazer softball sweeps Nova Southeastern
On Super Bowl Sunday, Valdosta State showed why it has been one of the super teams in the south region for years now.
-
Blazers fall to Saints
Just 24 hours after earning an impressive opening day victory, the Valdosta State baseball team struggled to find a rhythm against North Georgia, as the Blazers fell to the Saints 8-3.
North Georgia pitcher Blake Hobby was a major factor for VSU’s struggles. The senior right-hander held the Blazers to just one run on four hits across his eight innings of work on the hill. -
Tift County wins region wrestling championship
Tift County won the Region 1-AAAAA traditional wrestling championship on Saturday at Lowndes High School.
Tift had three individual region champions, had wrestlers place in the top three in 13 of the 14 weight classes and qualified wrestlers for next weekend’s sectional tournament in all 14 weight classes. Tift earned 184 team points, two points more than second-place Lowndes. -
Wildcats beat Crisp in overtime
Valdosta’s boys basketball team dominated the overtime period, and defeated Crisp County 66-56 on Saturday night at the VHS gym.
The Wildcats outscored the Cougars 17-7 in overtime to pull away for the win.
“Another big win,” Valdosta head coach Antonio Haynes said. “I’m happy for the guys. They played hard. They deserved this win.” - More Local Sports Headlines
-
Lady Packers beat Lowndes, 55-48
