A solid defensive effort helped Caldwell County pull out a 12-6 win over Hancock County in Friday’s football scrimmage at Tiger Stadium in Princeton.
Luke Parker threw two touchdown passes and intercepted a Hancock aerial as the Tigers took a spirited preseason tilt from the Hornets.
Caldwell’s offense struggled some early during the 10-and-10 portion of the scrimmage but seemed to find more footing when the teams later played two quarters of down-and-distance.
Meanwhile, the Tiger defense turned away Hancock twice in the red zone early in the scrimmage before the Hornets struck first on a 25-yard touchdown pass on the last varsity series of 10-and-10. Hancock missed the extra-point kick.
When the teams went to down-and-distance, Parker came up with a pick on the first series.
Caldwell then cashed that in on a 2-yard scoring pass from Parker to Gus Fox. The Tigers’ two-point pass attempt was incomplete, making the score 6-6.
Caldwell forced a Hancock punt on the next possession. The Tigers then capped off their drive when Parker hit Zy Rollins in the back of the end zone with a 30-yard pass over the top.
Jack Roach ended Hancock’s next series with a fumble recovery.
Caldwell’s youngsters also forced three turnovers. Duke Ward stripped the ball loose and Derek Wilson recovered to thwart one drive. Wilson had an interception the next series while J.T. Palm later came up with another pick.
Caldwell will play its final scrimmage next week, going to Owensboro Apollo on Thursday night.
The Tigers will kick off the 2023 regular season at Hopkins County Central on Friday, Aug. 18.
The first home game is Friday, Sept. 1, against Union County.
