Two key fumble recoveries and a kickoff return for a touchdown helped Caldwell County capture a season-opening victory at Hopkins County Central on Friday.
Shane Fairrow returned a kickoff 90 yards for a score in the third quarter, and the two turnovers led to 14 points as the Tigers quelled the Storm 31-20.
Caldwell hit the game’s first big play.
On the opening series of the game, Daelyn Lander found Zy Rollins wide open behind the Storm defense, and hit him for a 54-yard touchdown connection. Sutton Ritchey kicked the extra point to put Caldwell up 7-0 just 1:31 into the contest.
But the Hopkins Central defense was stingy for most of the rest of the first half.
Meanwhile, the Storm got close when Sylas Gunn hit Jerimiah Groves with a 12-yard scoring pass with 7:45 left in the first half. However, an early snap on the PAT threw off the timing and led to the kick being blocked by Caldwell’s Alex Fox. That left the Tigers with a 7-6 edge.
That’s where the score stayed until a fumble recovery by Caldwell’s Colson Mattocks set the Tigers up at the Storm 20-yard line with just over 2 minutes left in the first half.
Four plays later, Kam Wilson covered the final 3 yards to the end zone as Caldwell went up 14-6 at halftime.
The Tigers then got another key takeaway on the opening kickoff of the second half.
The Storm appeared to have a good return, but the ball was knocked loose and recovered by Everett Ray at the Hopkins Central 47.
Jack Roach capped off a six-play drive with a 9-yard bull rush up the middle, helping Caldwell build a 21-6 advantage with 9:16 remaining in the third quarter.
The Storm got close late in the period. Facing 4th-and-15 at the Tiger 34, Gunn found Groves between a pair of Caldwell defenders at the goal line for a touchdown. That came with 1:50 left in the stanza. A two-point pass attempt was broken up at the goal line, leaving Caldwell with a 21-12 lead.
But just when it seemed like the tide was turning in Hopkins Central’s favor, Fairrow struck.
The Caldwell senior took the ensuing kickoff on the left side, ran across the field and found a hole. He split a pair of defenders and was then off to the races down the right sideline. Ninety yards later, Fairrow had a touchdown and the Tigers were up 28-12.
Caldwell added a 35-yard field goal from Ritchey with 9:56 left in the game to extend the margin to 31-12.
Hopkins Central added a late score when Isac Earl scored on a 3-yard run with 58 seconds to play. Gunn passed to Tyler Matheny for a two-point conversion to make it 31-20.
But Caldwell covered the Storm’s onside kick attempt and then ran out the clock to finish off the Week 1 win.
Lander finished 8 of 15 passing for 152 yards and a touchdown.
Colson Mattocks led the Tiger ground game with 60 yards on nine carries.
Roach had 33 yards rushing with a touchdown and also caught three passes for 47 yards.
Wilson ran for 25 yards and a score and also had 11 tackles and a sack on the defensive side of the ball.
Duke Ward had nine tackles with five tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks while Carter Bedell added nine stops.
Caldwell had 270 total yards while Hopkins Central 201.
The Tigers totaled 12 first downs while the Storm had 11.
Gunn was 7 of 18 passing for 92 yards with two TDs and one interception. He also ran for 72 yards.
Earl added 39 yards on the ground.
Groves made three receptions for 29 yards with two touchdowns. Matheny had two catches for 45 yards.
Hopkins Central will go on the road next week to face Todd County Central.
Caldwell County will play at home for the first time next week against Marshall County.
