Tunstall’s comeback bid falls short on homecoming

DRY FORK — Cameron Scates exploded up the middle of the field, looked around and saw nobody near him as he cruised to a 65-yard touchdown.

The gallop pulled Tunstall within a single score and ignited a raucous celebration on the home team’s sideline — a party-like atmosphere in stark contrast to the first half.

“We just laid our hearts on the line, laid everything out on the field and that’s all we could do,” Scates said.

Tunstall appeared well on its way to what coach Buddy Brown termed another “truly embarrassing” loss to Floyd County before rallying in the second half, but the Trojans’ comeback bid fell short as they were defeated 21-14 on homecoming Monday night.

The Trojans — hammered 41-0 during Floyd County’s homecoming game last season — had their own homecoming game postponed from Friday because of the threat of inclement weather and were playing just days after Brown’s father passed away Thursday night.

“We’ve had a lot of distractions. I’m not making excuses. We’ve had a lot of distractions and it doesn’t take much to get these kids off course,” Brown said. “I think we appealed to their manhood and I think the kids responded.”

Tunstall (3-3) surged in the second half, forcing three turnovers and climbing back into the game after trailing 21-0 at intermission.

Tae Gunter scored on a 4-yard run to break the shutout midway through the third quarter and Scates, who racked up 74 yards on seven carries, burst the 65-yard touchdown run as Tunstall cut its deficit to 21-14.

Both teams were shut out in the fourth quarter, however, as the Buffaloes pounded the ball and drained the clock with fullback Zach Bonham and Tunstall watched its final two drives stall at Floyd County’s 28- and 37-yard line.

“I’m glad we won, but I think we should have done better,” the senior fullback said, as grass clippings stuck to his sweaty face. “We had turnovers and that messed us up. I think we should have won by more points than what we did.”

Bonham rushed for 92 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries for Floyd County (5-0) and Brett Holman hauled in seven catches for 108 yards and two scores as the Buffaloes opened a 21-0 lead by scoring on three of their first four drives. Both of Holman’s touchdowns — one from 25 yards and another from 23 yards out — came on short dump off pass plays that saw the senior zig zag down the sideline for a score.

Bonham plunged into the end zone from eight yards out for Floyd County’s second score as the Buffaloes ran the same play to the fullback four consecutive times, chewing up 36 yards.

Floyd County quarterback Luke Harris, who diced the Trojans secondary last season, completed just two second-half passes and tossed a pair of interceptions as Tunstall’s swarming defense provided the hosts with a chance.

“To be honest, being homecoming and with all the emotions that they’ve gone through with the loss of the coach’s dad, I knew that if they got some momentum going it would be a tough game,” Floyd County coach Winfred Beale said. “I’m glad the way our kids responded at the end.”