By Stephen Dawkins

Clanton Advertiser

CLANTON — Demopolis (1-1, 1-0) blocked a last-second Chilton County (0-2, 0-1) field goal Friday that would have sent the game into overtime.

Instead of going through the uprights, Stephen Horn’s kick, snapped from the 5 yardline, fell harmlessly to the turf, as Demopolis celebrated its 23-20 win and some CCHS players walked off the field dejectedly.

The host Tigers twice held the lead, the last time when Michael Seaton took a toss to the right side and scored from the 2 yardline with 4:32 remaining in the game.

With its defense not having allowed a point in the second half, the lead appeared safe, but there were a few breakdowns in an otherwise solid effort.

Chilton allowed a 41-yard touchdown pass from Tucker Jones to Jerry Campbell on the first possession of the second quarter, and after CCHS took its first lead, a 75-yard run by James Wilson on an option play put Demopolis back on top, 15-14 with 9:23 remaining in the third quarter.

CCHS also helped Demopolis with a snap that sailed over the punter’s head and through the back of the end zone for a safety. That play was the difference at halftime, as Demopolis led, 9-7.

Chilton scored first on a 3-yard run by Seaton seconds into the second quarter.

The offense found its rhythm on its second possession of the second half, as tough runs by Seaton and Desmond Wilkes were mixed in with short passes by quarterback Chance Britnell.

The Tigers drove down the field and scored when Britnell escaped the pocket, slipped by a couple of tacklers and found Seaton open on the right sideline. He ran it in for 25-yard TD. Horn was good on both of his point-after tries.

Chilton County possibly could have iced the game after forcing a Demopolis punt with a 5-point lead and 4:30 left on the clock, but the visitors recovered a fumble on Chilton’s 41 yardline and then drove down for what would be the game-winning score, an 8-run by Wilson. Jones passed to Rodney Harper for the 2-point conversion.

Wilson finished with 25 carries for 184 yards and two touchdowns. Defensively, Kessy Bell finished the night with 10 total tackles for Demopolis.