On Landrum’s next possession, Bryant was on his way to a 57-yard touchdown when a penalty four yards behind him negated the run.
“We just have to cut out the mistakes,” Mahaffey said after the game. “We just have to keep working to get better.”
The next play from scrimmage, a Razorback defender came up with an interception. Walhalla drove the ball down the field and Williamson scored on a three-yard run up the middle. Williamson finished with 19 carries for 146 yards with four rushing touchdowns, including a 52-yard run late in the fourth quarter that put the Razorbacks up 28-21.
The Cardinals got the ball back with 2:02 remaining after Williamson’s fourth quarter touchdown. Bryant guided the offense down the field, but stalled on a fourth down with four yards to go. With their backs against the wall, the Cardinals had to go for it. Bryant found Sam Parsons for a 43-yard touchdown. Landrum went for a two-point conversion, but Bryant’s pass went just out of reach of Wilkins.
Bryant was 8-for-20 with 222 yards and two touchdowns passing. He also ran for 64 yards. T.J. Fincher led the rushing attack with 77 yards. Parsons had a huge day receiving. He hauled in five catches for 166 yards and two touchdowns.
Mahaffey said he feels the Cardinals are getting some valuable experience after playing two straight games against two good 3A teams.
“Moving up to 2A, we knew what we were getting into,” he said. “These are games that can help us prepare to that level.”
Landrum plays at Polk County this Friday, Sept. 7 at 7:30 p.m.