The Poplarville Hornets (0-9, 0-4) fell just short of gaining a Division 8-4A win over the Pass Christian Pirates 19-15 on the road Friday night.

Poplarville head coach Chris Teal stated, “We had what you practice for late in the game.  We were moving the ball in the two minute offense and they get their second pick of the night.  We knew we had to play perfect to win.”

The Pirates (3-5, 1-3) jumped out to a 7-0 lead with a 42-yard run by Trae Ausmer with 7:44 left in the first period.  Dustin Snyder converted on the PAT to make the score 7-0.

Poplarville answered with a eight-play drive of their own.  Neeko Lockhart ripped off a first down run of 13 yards before Drake Hodges hooked up with Zach Bates for 58 yards down to the Pirate 11 yardline.  Three minimal gains brought the ball to the seven yardline where Ethan Pachal nailed a 24-yard field goal with 3:23 left in the first quarter to make the score 7-3.

With Pass Christian driving on their ensuing possession, Lattimore Pittmann jumped a route to pick off a Zach Favre pass at the Hornet 30 yardline.  Hodges connected with Dexter Childs for 12 yards and a first down but the drive stalled.

Pass Christian took over at their own 39 yardline and put together an 11-play drive that ended with Marcus Dedeaux scoring from 10 yards out on an end around with 4:59 left in the first half.  Sndyer’s kick missed wide right leaving the score 13-3.

Poplarville showed a little life with Hodges connecting with Childs on a 33-yard completion inside Pirate territory.  Lockhart followed with a six-yard gain to the Pirate 40 but to no avail as the Hornets turned the ball over on downs.

Poplarville did get the ball back shortly before halftime with Hodges gaining 12 yards before hooking up with Childs for nine yards.  Next, Hodges broke free for 18 yards to the Pirate 35 yardline.  However, on the next play, Hodges was intercepted by Favre to end the first half.

Teal added, “Pass Christian made some big play sin the first half but we did not execute when we moved the ball in side their territory.”

Pass Christian forced a fumble on the opening kickoff of the second half and stretched their lead shortly thereafter.  On the third play of the second half, the Pirates pushed their lead to 19-3 on a Favre to Denzel Bradley 12-yard scoring aerial.  The two-point conversion failed.

The two teams traded possessions before Poplarville got in the endzone.  Hodges hooked up with Jarell Aaron on a 45-yard scoring strike with 11:48 left in the game.  The two-point conversion failed leaving the score 19–9.

The Hornets held firm on a short field to get the ball back at their own 20 yardline.  Hodges hit Bates for an 11-yard gain.  Then he connected with Lockhart on a screen pass that went 69 yards for the score with 6:19 left in the game.  Snyder broke through on the PAT to block the kick that left the final score 19-15.  Favre intercepted a Hornet pass in the waning seconds of the game.

Teal ended, “We just need to get back to work.  We will have the week off to prepare for Greene County the final Friday of the season.”

Hodges ended the game 14-for-23 for 306 yards and two scores.  Bates led Poplarville with three receptions for 98 yards.  Smith paced the defense with 12 total tackles.

Poplarville enjoys their off-week this Friday night before ending the season with Greene County on the road.