Hornets Collapse in Fourth Quarter

For the first 36 minutes of Friday nights region matchup against the Northview Titans, the looked to be on their way to their first win of the season, however, the fourth quarter turned into a slow nightmare and the Titans beat the Hornets 35-21, handing the team their eighth consecutive loss.

At the start, the Hornets protected the football, ran the ball strongly and even played some impressive defense, but the fourth quarter was marred with turnovers, penalties and defensive woes, giving the Titans time to rally and score 21 unanswered points to win the game.

Entering the fourth quarter the Hornets held a one-touchdown lead of the Titans, winning by a score of 21-14. After a dropped potential 80-yard touchdown pass by junior Bernie Arowoselu, running back Corey Wilson fumbled on the Hornets own 18-yard line eventually leading to a Titan score. On the following drive a pass from quarterback Casey Culver was tipped by the intended receiver and intercepted by the Titans, eventually leading to the second Titans touchdown in three minutes. With the ball back and the potential to tie the game Casey Culver over threw Bennett Barton and his pass was intercepted yet again and returned 53-yards to the Hornets 34-yard line.

The final dagger in the Hornets fourth quarter meltdown was a third and 11 36-yard run touchdown run by Evan Jacks. While the Hornets outscored the Titans 14-0 after the third quarter, the Hornets turned the ball over four times in the fourth.

The Titans dominated the ground Friday night.

Led by speedy quarterback Evan Jacks and elusive running back Terrence Upshaw the Titans ran for 298 yards on while scoring four rushing touchdowns. Duel threat Evan Jacks ran for 166 yards on 22 carries and managed to score twice. Jacks also completed 17 of his 25 pass attempts, throwing for 179 yards and a touchdown. Amassing 345 all-purpose yards, Jacks accounted for 3 of the Titans five touchdowns. Upshaw scored the two other Titan touchdowns, running for 132 yards on 24 carries in the process.

The Hornets struggles defensively continued Friday night, surrendering 35 points to a Titans offense that gained a total 477 offensive yards throughout the game. The Titans ran right through the Hornets early in the game often using Evan Jack’s speed to their advantage. While the main component of the Titans offense is the run, they also they had ease with the passing game. Jacks managed to complete 68 percent of his passes against a Roswell secondary that had been playing effectively in recent games. The Hornets also had trouble with giving up big plays. With 23 seconds left in the first half Jacks threw a 63-yard touchdown pass to take sole position of the lead.

The Hornet quarterback carousel remains in full spin after Friday night’s loss.

Ryan Monty started the game 0-3 and did not complete a pass in the first 18 minutes of the game. Senior quarterback Casey Culver replaced Monty midway through the second quarter and was efficient in relief. Culver was 8-15 throwing for 93 yards and a touchdown, however he did have three interceptions in the final quarter. The quarterback rotation between Monty and Culver has been a common occurrence this season. Monty has often started games, with Culver getting work towards the end of the game. Throughout the game the Hornets quarterbacks only completed a combined eight of their 18 passes, while Jacks completed 17 passes. The quarterback team of Monty and Culver threw for under 100 yards and three interceptions.

While the Hornets quarterbacks struggled, the Hornets running game, led by junior Corey Wilson, remained impressive. Wilson ran for 174 yards while receiving a massive 33 carries with other running back Andrew Kwateng out after aggravating his ankle injury against Alpharetta last Friday. Wilson also scored two touchdowns coming on runs from 18-yards and 38-yards out. Even though Wilson put up big numbers Friday night he also had a horrendous fourth quarter. Despite a swift 18-yard run Wilson lost four yards on nine carries and fumbled early in the fourth quarter.

Wilson is putting together a remarkable at the running back position this year. In three games as the sole Roswell running back Wilson has rushed for 510 yards and scored five touchdowns. Wilson has quickly become the workhorse of the Roswell offense, receiving 87 carries in the three games he has started. Wilson has been successful at breaking big plays this year, scoring four of his five touchdowns from 35-yards or greater. Only in his junior year, Wilson is sure to be a big part of Roswell’s plans next year.  

The playoff hopes of the Hornets are quickly diminishing, if not already gone.

The Hornets still have two games remaining in the 2011 season, both at home against West Forsyth and longtime rival Milton. A win in either of these last two games would be great for not only the team, but also the fans.

It is interesting to note that this season the Hornets have been beat by three separate teams whose mascot is a Raider.