KINSTON – The Florala Wildcats had their playoff dreams dashed with a 26-13 loss to the Kinston Bulldogs.

“That was a tough loss, and we knew what was at stake with a playoff game on the line,” Wildcats’ head coach Brad Rhodes said.

The Wildcats got the scoring started with Avery McNeill scoring on a 60-yard touchdown run to give them a 7-0 lead.

The Bulldogs then scored 20 unanswered points taking a 20-7 lead.

Ray Hall added a touchdown on 10-yard catch from McNeill and the Wildcats trailed 20-13.

The Bulldogs scored a touchdown near the end of the first half to take a 26-13 lead. Neither team scored in the second half.

“We started out slow tonight, but we played with more fire in the second half, and I’m proud of the way they guys didn’t give up,” said Rhodes. “Now, we have to get right back up and get ready to play J.F. Shields next week.”

With the loss Florala falls to 6-4 overall and 2-4 in the region. They will travel to Monroe County to face the J.F. Shields Panthers next Friday night for the final game of the season.