SMITHSON, BRACKNEY LEAD SEVENTH GRADE BEARCATS TO CONFERENCE TITLE

In a battle between two teams who had not lost since their respective season opening games the Booneville Seventh Grade Bearcats claimed a Conference 3A-1 title with a 30-8 win over Cedarville.

Cooper Smithson ran for 120 yards and touchdowns and Drake Brackney (shown along with Smithson) ran for 87 yards and a pair of touchdowns as well. The pair also led the defense with Smithson recording 10 tackles and Brackney six.

The Bearcats (8-1) got off to a quick start as Smithson rumbled 65 yards on their first offensive play. Smithson also added a two-point conversion run for an 8-0 lead.

Cedarville managed a first down on its second possession before Smitson and Toby Weaver combined on a negative yardage stop and Kyler Carter made a fourth down stop to get the Bearcats the ball back.

Another drive of 65 yards would push the advantage to 16-0, though it would take four plays this time.

Brackney connected with Weaver for 6 yards and later ran 13 yards for a first down but it was Smithson getting loose for 41 yards and the touchdown. Brackeny kept for the two-point conversion.

The Pirates again got one first down before the Bearcat defense made a stop, this one courtesy of a Chase Posey fumble recovery at the Cedarville 39.

Brackney capped a short drive by getting into the end zone from the 1 to make it 22-0 at the half.

The Bearcats started the second half by turning the ball over with a fumble but the defense would force a punt.

A 73-yard drive made it 30-0. Brackney scored his second touchdown on a run of 34 yards. Trevor Swain ran in for another two to make it 30-0.

Cedarville got on the board with less than five minutes to play.

Smithson finished the season with 733 rushing yards and another 185 receiving with a combined 15 touchdowns. He also scored a defensive touchdown and led the way with 45 total tackles.

Brackney ran for 389 yards and eight touchdowns and threw for 427 yards and five more.