St. Martin continues to let the competition know these are not the same ol’ Yellow Jackets.
Seth Crockett ran for 109 yards on 12 carries and scored two touchdowns in leading St. Martin to a thrilling 22-21 overtime win against Hancock on Friday night at Joe Barlow Stadium in Ocean Springs.
St. Martin took a 15-7 lead into the fourth quarter before the Hawks scored and made the two-point conversion to tie the game and force OT.
In the extra period, the Yellow Jackets scored a touchdown as Dax Hill busted in from a yard out and converted the point after. Hancock answered with a touchdown but decided to go for two points and the win.
The Hawks (1-2) were denied the conversion attempt, and the Yellow Jackets (2-1) took the victory.
“It was one of those games no one deserved to lose,” said St. Martin coach Ty Smith.
The Yellow Jackets jumped out to a 15-0 first-quarter lead as Crockett broke free for 55-yard and 20-yard scoring runs before Hancock pulled within 15-7 at the half when Donte Taylor hauled in a 40-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Kaison Koennen.
Midway through the fourth quarter, Koennen scored on an outside run and added the two-point conversion to tie the game at 15-15.
After the Yellow Jackets scored in overtime to take a 22-15 lead on Hill’s run, Koennen scored on another running play, but the Hawks were held out of the end zone on the two-point conversion try.
Despite the loss, Hancock coach Neil Lollar said he’s proud of the way his team fought back.
“This team is growing week to week,” said Lollar. “We are gaining experience each snap in games and it’s going to produce soon into us being on the positive side of the scoreboard.”
For a team that lost 17 consecutive games entering this season, the Yellow Jackets feel pretty good to be off to such a great start.
“Learning to win and finish is the first step,” said Smith. “I’m happy for our kids.”
St. Martin will host Stone High on Friday while Hancock will play Petal in Kiln.
