Editor’s Note: This article is part of our “Throwback Thursday” series. This article is from our Oct. 4, 2004 files.

 

There were no losers at the end of last night’s high school football game between the Florala Wildcats and the Pleasant Home Eagles.

 

Florala scored more points and was credited with a very important region win on homecoming night, but the way both teams played, it is difficult to label either team as a loser.

 

The head coaches for both teams remarked at the heart the players for both squads showed in an intense region game between two Covington County schools.

 

“It was just a great ballgame,” Florala head coach Doug Vickery said.

 

Pleasant Home head coach Jimmy Reeves agreed.

 

“We grew up a lot tonight,” Reeves said about his team. “It hurts to lose, but we played with a lot of heart.”

 

“I’m just proud as I could be,” he added. “We played a complete game.”

 

Vickery said his team played all out and finally won a barnburner.

 

“We’ve lost two close games against Red Level and Ariton,” Vickery said. “We needed to win a close game. We learned how to win a close game tonight.”

 

The game began with the Wildcats going on top 6-0 with 4:08 left in the first quarter. Quarterback Robbie Evans scored on a 10-yard run, and the PAT was no good.

 

Pleasant Home answered early in the second quarter when Alex Hamby broke off a 23-yard touchdown run. The PAT was blocked by Vance Gettis.

 

The score was knotted at 6-6 with 9:27 left in the first half.

 

Florala united the score in a hurry with a four-play scoring drive. Josh Thrash capped off the drive with a 63-yard touchdown run. Gettis added a two-point conversion via the run for a 14-6 Florala lead with 8:13 left in the first half.

 

Pleasant Home used its passing attack to near perfection late in the second quarter to fly down the field for a score. Hamby capped off the drive with a 1-yard rushing touchdown. Brad Sanders threw a pass to Casey Boyington for a two-point conversion and the score was knotted at 14-14 with 1:02 left in the half.

 

Pleasant Home drove down the field and scored to start the second half. Sanders scored on a 6-yard run to cap off the seven-play drive. Boyington’s PAT was good and the Eagles had a 21-14 lead.

 

Florala needed just two plays to answer with as score. Evans scored on a 56-yard run to make it a 21-20 game in favor of the Eagles. The Wildcats failed to convert the two-point attempt.

 

Florala took a 28-21 lead with 6 seconds left in the third quarter. Evans scored on an 11-yard run. Corderus Smiley tacked on a two-point conversion on a run.

 

The Eagles tied the score once again with 9:48 left to play.

 

Hamby scored on a 12-yard run up the gut. Boyington’s PAT was true and the Wildcats and Eagles were tied up at 28-28.

 

Florala’s Wildcats bared their claws and fought back to retake the lead at 35-28 with 1:09 remaining in regulation.

 

Smiley scored on a 3-yard runt to cap off a 6-yard drive. Tyler Raspberry tacked on the PAT for a 35-28 lead.