Hallsville All But Ensures Itself A Playoff Berth With 58-24 Drubbing of Pine Tree

LONGVIEW -- The Hallsville Bobcats scored early and often en route to a 58-24 rout of Pine Tree in a key District 15-5A clash Thursday night at Pirate Stadium.

Hallsville (6-3, 4-2) is currently all alone in fourth place in the district standings with one week to play in the regular season. The Bobcats face Longview (6-2, 4-1) next Friday night, but even a loss would not necessarily keep them out of the playoffs.

Bobcats senior running back Lance Hardman racked up 210 yards of offense and scored three touchdowns to pace Hallsville's 480-yard offensive outburst.

Hallsville quarterback Roger McCuller added 114 yards and a touchdown on just five carries, and passed for 92 yards and another score, helping the Bobcats enter halftime with a 37-3 lead.

Defensively, James Nelson returned an interception 13 yards for a 7-0 Hallsville lead early in the first quarter.

Pine Tree (3-6, 2-4), which was officially eliminated from postseason contention, was sparked by quarterback Daniel Bonamy, who passed for 215 yards and two touchdowns. Cade Hardin caught two passes for 67 yards and a score in defeat.

The Pirates finish the regular season next Friday night at Greenville.