By Jeffrey Reid

Cullman Times

HOLLY POND — The West Limestone Wildcats came away victorious at Holly Pond’s Thomas-Michelfelder Field Friday night, spoiling the head coaching debut of new Holly Pond head football coach Mark Smothers. The Wildcats defeated the Broncos 20-13.

The Wildcats (1-0) scored on a second and goal from the Bronco 8 yard line. West Limestone quarterback Wesley Hughes handed off to fullback Codey Rose, scoring with 3:19 remaining in the first quarter. The extra point attempt by kicker Ethan Bloodworth was wide left. The Wildcats led 6-0 over the homestanding Broncos.

Holly Pond (0-1) would answer in the second quarter. The Broncos scored on a third and goal situation when quarterback Joey Hawkins handed the ball off to Tyler Phillips for the touchdown. The extra point by Hawkins was good, making the score 7-6 in favor of the Broncos with 11:17 remaining in the first half.

Following a West Limestone fumble, Holly Pond recovered at the Bronco 34 yard line with 9:29 left in the second quarter. The Broncos scored again on a third and goal near the West Limestone goal line. With 4:07 remaining in the half, Holly Pond extended the lead to 13-6. A penalty negated the extra point kick by Hawkins.

The PAT retry by Hawkins was no good. The half ended with Holly Pond on top 13-6.

The Wildcats scored with 4:30 in the third quarter on a two-yard run by fullback Mario McWilliams. West Limestone’s two point conversion attempt failed, making the score 13-12 in favor of Holly Pond.

West Limestone would tack on an insurance touchdown with 6:40 remaining in the game to seal the victory. Austin Gilliam took the handoff from Hughes from the Holly Pond 2-yard line, making the score 18-13. The Wildcats’ two-point conversion attempt was good.

“West Limestone’s Tyler McClung caught a pass from Hughes, upping the score to 20-13 in favor of the visitors from Limestone County.

  “They (West Limestone) were a little more physical in the second half,” Smothers said.

“They took control in the second half.

West Limestone hosts Colbert County Friday night.