By Joseph Gex III/Sports Writer

KILN — The Hancock Hawks used a steady run game and opportunistic passing attack to slip past the Terry Bulldogs 28-23 in first round playoff action in Class 6A Friday night. It was the first home playoff game in Kiln since 2017.

The Hawks (7-4) will travel to Hattiesburg Friday for a second round game in the Class 6A playoffs.

Hancock’s Marchus Sam’s stepped in front of a Terry pass and returned a pick 68 yards for a touchdown with 5:36 left in the first quarter. Max Powell converted the PAT to make the score 7-0.

Terry scored on a 29-yard pass-and-catch from Krishon Thigpen to Kolby George with 3:21 left in the first quarter. Michael Coleman knotted the score at 7-7 with his PAT.

The Bulldogs’ defense stiffened forcing a Hancock turnover on downs on the ensuing drive.

After a 12-yard gain from Thigpen, Gavin Mitchell broke free for a 74-yard sprint to the endzone with 22 seconds left in the first quarter. Coleman’s PAT gave Terry a 14-7 advantage heading into the second quarter.

Each team traded a possession before Hancock got the ball back at their own 15-yard line. Justin Wedgeworth ripped off a 22-yard run on the first play then found Aspen Favre for a nine-yard gain. Three plays later, Wedgeworth pulled the ball and kept it for a 45-yard sprint to the endzone with 6:31 left in the first half. Powell’s PAT tied the score at 14-14.

A stingy defensive stand by Hancock forced a Terry punt that the Hawks received at their 38-yard line.

Talley gained 11 yards on the first play. Then, Wedgeworth hooked up with Favre for a diving catch for 44 yards down to the Bulldogs’ five-yard line.

Three plays later, Wedgeworth called his own number from one-yard out for the touchdown with 32 seconds left in the first half. Powell’s PAT gave Hancock a 21-14 lead at halftime.

The Bulldogs wasted little time finding the endzone to start the second half. Cole Reed had carries of two, 16, and eight yards before he ripped off a 40-yard scoring run with 9:30 left to play in the third quarter. Coleman’s PAT tied the score at 21-21.

The Hawks responded when Wedgeworth hit Sebastian Collier for a 31-yard scoring aerial in the back corner of the endzone with 5:29 left in the third quarter. Powell’s PAT made the score 28-21.

With about seven minutes remaining in the game, Terry moved the football down to the Hawk nine-yard line on gains of five, 24, and 10 yards by Reed.

However, Terry fumbled the ball at the Hancock four-yard line and the loose ball was recovered by the Hawks’ Landon Fox.

Deep in their own territory, Wedgeworth broke free for a 12-yard gain and a first down. However, the Terry defense forced Hancock to take a safety with seven seconds left to play making the score 28-23.

Terry had one final opportunity from the Hancock 38-yard line but Wyatt Coleman broke through and sacked Thigpen for a seven-yard loss to end the game and send the Hawks to the second round for the second consecutive season.

Hancock head coach Michael King commented, “It was a crucial call on the safety but we talked about it before the call and felt comfortable with how the defense was playing. Wyatt Coleman came up with a very big defensive play at the end with the sack. He has performed like that all season and it is what we expect of him. Our defensive play was very opportunistic tonight as was displayed by Marchus Sams’ pick-six early in the game. It gave us a big momentum shift early. We beat a very good Terry team tonight that has very good personnel especially on the back end of the defense. We made enough plays tonight to advance but we have to clean up some things this week and become more consistent. We will be traveling to Hattiesburg this coming Friday for a second round game and we will need to be at our best.”

The Hawks were paced by Wedgeworth who rushed 17 times for 93 yards and two touchdowns. He threw for 110 yards, a touchdown, and two interceptions on 7-for-22 passing. Favre caught three passes for 64 yards. Talley added 87 yards on 13 carries.

Terry was led by Reed who had 112 yards on eight carries. The Bulldogs finish their season 6-6 overall.