Sweet Water holds off Wadley to move to quarters

Sweet Water got its most important stop of the season Friday night with 1:06 left in the game on a play that enabled the Bulldogs to down Wadley 21-20 and move the Class 1A quarterfinals.

The stop came when Courdarious Nunn’s two-point conversion pass fell harmlessly to the turf as Wadley went for the win after Tyrese Sheppard’s 6-yard touchdown run cut the deficit to 21-20.

Sweet Water took the lead with 4:49 to go in the game when Shamar Lewis punched it in from three yards out. Jonah Smith added the all-important extra-point kick to put SWHS up 21-20.

Wadley struck first in the game when Sheppard scored with 2:36 left in the second quarter to put Wadley up 7-0. Lewis tied the game for Sweet Water on a 28-yard run with 1:15 left until half. Jaylin Johnson put Sweet Water up with 9:01 left in the third quarter when he scored from three yards out. Sheppard struck again with 4:43 remaining in the third when he scored from four yards away, tying the game at 14.

Wadley tallied 372 yards of offense on 57 plays and never punted on the night. The Bulldog defense also forced four turnovers on the night, including a Trent Sams interception. Sweet Water countered with 258 yards. The Bulldogs also converted an impressive 4 of 6 fourth down attempts in the game.

Sheppard led all rushers with 184 yards and three touchdowns on 22 carries. Nunn added 117 yards for Wadley. Lewis led Sweet Water with 128 yards and two touchdowns on 19 carries.

The win moves Sweet Water (9-2) to the quarterfinal round where it will host Maplesville.