Bees Football Holds On To Late Lead Against Watertown
Upperman (8-1) tried to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory Thursday night in Baxter. The Bees held on against the Watertown Purple Tigers 21-20.
Nothing came easy in the first half for either offensive unit. Sophomore running back Ty Dutchess scored from 35-yards out halfway through the second quarter. The score was knotted up at seven at intermission.
Senior quarterback Donoven McCallister connected with Daniel Metzgar on a 45-yard touchdown pass. Metzgar split two Watertown defenders on a fly pattern and McCallister hit him in stride. Upperman took a 14-7 lead into the fourth quarter.
McCallister scored from 22-yards out with 1:33 left in the fourth quarter to presumably put the game away. McCallisters touchdown scamper gave Upperman a 21-7 lead late in the fourth quarter.
On the ensuing possession Watertown scored in two plays. Quarterback Brayden Cousino completed his first pass to Quanterrius Hughes-Malone on a fifty/fifty jump ball against Carter Shanks.
On the next play Cousino extended the play with his legs which allowed Elijah Williams enough time to slip behind the secondary for a 35-yard touchdown score with 58 seconds to play.
Watertown failed to recover the onside kick.
However, Upperman fumbled the snap in victory formation and Watertown recovered.
Cousino and Hughes-Malone linked up again. This time it was for a 20-yard touchdown with 24 seconds to play in regulation.
Watertown elected to go for two instead of kicking the extra point. Hughes-Malone took a jet sweep around the right side of the offense only to be stopped five-yards short of the goal line by a swarm of Bees.
McCallister finished the night 9-16 for 103 yards and a touchdown. He carried the ball 21 time for 118 yards and a score. Dutchess contributed 11 carries for 52 yards and one trip to the end zone.
Upperman looks to remain undefeated in region play next week as they travel to Sequatchie County. Watertown will look to get back in the win column against East Robertson.
