Ashlyn Vandiver reigns as homecoming queen Friday night at Tharptown High School.

By Bart Moss for the FCT

Trailing 13-6 with less than a minute to play in the game, Tharptown quarterback Heath Hatton scrambled and broke free, sprinting toward the endzone. Approaching the goal line, Hatton dove and stretched his body toward the orange pylon, knocking it over as he fell out of bounds, appearing to have scored.

The referee determined Hatton’s knee was down inside the one.

What happened afterward was disastrous for the Wildcats’ chances to get their first win of the season on their homecoming night. A penalty and a sack quickly put Tharptown several yards from the endzone with time running out. The Wildcats’ chances of getting the win evaporated when Hatton’s desperation pass was picked off inside the five-yard line.

“We fought hard and had chances to win tonight,” said Tharptown coach Jason Murray.  “We just shot ourselves in the foot way too much with penalties.”

The Wildcats faced several very long yardage situations Friday night, which made conversions difficult. They were penalized 12 times for 85 yards.

Defensively the Wildcats held their own against the Panthers, giving them several chances to score some points, but they were not able to convert.

Tharptown’s lone score came on a six-yard run by Mikey Rosson. Rosson later went down with a broken collar bone, which will keep him out for the remainder of the season.

“Mikey is one tough competitor,” said Murray. “He runs hard and gives us his all. I really hate it for him and the team.”

Tharptown will travel to Hatton Friday night to take on the Hornets. The Wildcats will close out their season against two of the top two teams in the state in Red Bay and Hubbertville.

Ashlyn Vandiver was crowned Tharptown’s Homecoming Queen Friday night.