Homewood edges Hartselle in thriller

The Homewood Patriots looked like they were in trouble. Visiting Hartselle led the Class 6A state playoff opener by 11 points with just 3:30 remaining in the game and the Pats faced a fourth-and-14.

But coach Ben Berguson had faith in his team. He just added a little Maurice Mayo to the mix. That was enough for a heart-pounding 25-21 win at Waldrop Stadium on Friday night.

On that crucial fourth down, Homewood quarterback Carson Griffis hit Mayo with a short pass and the senior speedster did the rest, bolting 45 yards for a touchdown. A two-point conversion cut the score to 21-18.

The Patriots then got the ball back around the middle of the field with 1:30 left. Soon after, Mayo took a Griffis pass and zipped 30 yards to the 1-yard line. Derrick Underwood crashed in for the game-winning touchdown with just 38 seconds left.

"It’s amazing," Berguson said. "I've watched this team do this all year … have these fourth quarter comebacks. We all just watched Maurice Mayo win that football game for us. I don’t know what else to say."

Homewood had gotten out early on a field goal and an Underwood TD for a 10-0 lead. But Hartselle bounced back for two scores to take a 14-10 lead at intermission.

Hartselle added a long run to take a 21-10 lead that held until the final minutes of the game.

Mayo racked up 102 yards on seven catches. Griffis was 17-of-29 passing for 209 yards and rushed 16 times for 52 yards. Underwood had 72 yards on 19 carries and the two TDs.

Homewood will travel to Gardendale for round two.

Dan Starnes contributed to this report