PURPLE EDGES GOLD

Rhett Nietert had been on the losing end of the Purple-Gold game each of the last two seasons and was on the verge of being shut out in the bragging rights affair until the closing minutes Friday.

Bragging rights, of course, are really reserved for the coaching staff that was split, with Purple’s Arron Kimes and Chad Simpson opposing Gold’s Jacob Hattabaugh and Cody Harrel – all former Bearcats.

Head coach Doc Crowley and coach Darby Ulmer served as the referees and were treated, largely, as one might be on a Thursday or Friday night, with coaches calling for flags and arguing fumble no-calls.

Nietert, who was the quarterback for the Purple team but was limited in terms of carrying the football, did opt to keep the football on a 2-point conversion that gave his side an 8-6 lead, which would be the final, with 2:53 to play.

There had been a little luck on the eventual winning drive as well. On a fourth-and-1 the snap hit the ground but Nietert picked it up and was able to convert.

Two plays later sophomore Sadler Miller tied the game with a touchdown run – Purple had fullback Hunter Warren on its roster, but Warren was not permitted to play offense.

With 1:02 to play the Gold team, who was in White jerseys, took a time out prior to fourth down then got a huge gain from Levi McMaster to give themselves a chance to retake the lead.

After a minimal first down gain the Gold team took its final time out with 31 seconds left. Out of the break Tayden Washburn pitched the ball to Hayden Daniel who threw to Triton Halpain but Nietert intercepted the pass to preserve the win for Purple.

Washburn had staked the Gold team to a 6-0 lead on their first offensive play rumbling for a rushing touchdown.

That came after the Gold team defense, which was led by Seth Wilson, who like Warren was a defensive participant only, held on a fourth down.

Though there was a big gain by Brody Chambers on the ensuing possession it would remain 6-0 the rest of the half as there were five straight possessions ending in simulated punts – there was no kicking game.

Gold started the second half with a first down throw from Washburn to Halpain but eventually punted.

The punt streak ended with a turnover on downs by Purple after a promising third-and-2 deep in White territory became third-and-12 due to penalties.

A penalty also short-circuited the next Gold possession and ended in another punt with 8:30 to play.

Callen Montalvo got free for a big gain before Gold helped Purple out of a third-and-7 by jumping offside to make it third-and-2. Two plays later Nietert converted the fortuitous fumble on the way to the winning 2-point conversion.

The game wrapped up a full night that included a scrimmage by the junior high Bearcats and simultaneous games between the Bearcats and Booneville Youth Little League fifth and sixth grade teams.

Up next for the Bearcats and junior high Bearcats is a benefit/scrimmage game at Dardanelle on Tuesday.