Wilson’s defense stops Page

The Green Hornets used a strapping defense to keep the Panthers off the scoreboard until late in the game, but early the Hornets were unable to score as well.

Wilson coughed up the ball on Page's 1-yard line and also threw an interception on the Panther's 20-yard line later in the first half.

"It's good to see us put some points on the board," Wilson coach Derek McDaniel said. "We could have scored twice more early in the game."

After a scoreless first half in a drenching downpour the Green Hornets' offense finally got going in its initial drive of the third quarter. With good field position at the Panthers' 43, freshman quarterback Jake Bailey directed a seven play scoring drive that was finished with tailback Alex Fisher scoring from three yards out with 6:09 in the third quarter. Junior kicker Ben Hopewell converted the extra point to make the score 7-0.

At the start of the fourth quarter the Hornets scored again on a 22-yard pass from Bailey to Christian Miller. Hopewell converted again putting the Hornets up 14-0.

On the Panthers' next possession Wilson defensive back Kurt Bugden intercepted a halfback pass and returned it back to the Panther 20-yard line. Four plays later Bailey called his own number plunging in from the one for the final Hornet score.

"[Wilson's] defense gave us a fit," said Page coach Frankie Comer "They are very stingy on the run. Their defense made the difference tonight."

Page scored at the 5:12 mark of the final stanza on a 12-yard pass from sophomore quarterback Dakota Wolf to Tylor Parsell. Wolf converted a two-point conversion run and cut the Wilson lead to 13.

Page's onside kick attempt failed and the Hornets successfully ran out the clock.

Bailey finished the completing eight passes for 116 yards with one touchdown. Miller was Bailey's main receiver, catching for 103 yards. Miller also carried the ball twice for 38 yards giving the sophomore running back a total offense of 141 yards.

"Bailey made some good decisions out there," McDaniel said. "He's only going to get better."

Fisher had 67 yards and a touchdown on 19 carries for the Green Hornets.

The win improved the Hornets record to 4-4 overall, and 1-2 in the district with a home game against Luray next week followed by the season finale against Stonewall Jackson.