Hallsville Foils Carthage’s Two-Point Attempt to Take 39-38 Overtime Victory

CARTHAGE -- Hallsville's fourth time to stop a Carthage two-point conversion attempt was its biggest.

The Bobcats stopped Carthage short of the goal line to take a thrilling 39-38 win in overtime Friday at Bulldog Stadium.

Hallsville's win went from slow to fast quick. The Bobcats held a 24-12 lead entering the fourth quarter, but Carthage rallied and held Hallsville to eight points in the quarter to send the game into overtime at 32-32. The Bulldogs saw a 44-yard field goal attempt to win the game fall short.

Lance Hardman, who rushed for 130 yards on 12 carries for Hallsville (1-0), scored on a 25-yard touchdown run the first play of overtime. Hallsville converted the PAT to take a 39-32 lead.

Jakeldrick Jackson returned an interception 55 yards for a touchdown to give Carthage its first lead of the game at 32-24, but Hallsville scored on its first play on a 68-yard touchdown pass from Roger McCuller to Andrew Southard.

McCuller ran in the two-point conversion to tie the game at 32-32.

Carthage quarterback Jared Blissett threw for 429 yards in the game, completing 38 of 65 passes. Ravodney Hardy led the Bulldogs on the ground with 17 carries for 138 yards.