Turnovers hurt Athens as Hornets fall to Palestine
PALESTINE -- The Athens Hornets struggled to hold onto the ball Friday night and the result was a 42-6 loss to Palestine.
The loss drops Athens to 4-4, 0-4 on the year, while Palestine improves to 6-3, 4-1.
The Hornets were able to move the ball well against the Wildcats, but struggled to finish drives. Athens turned the ball over three times in Palestine territory in the first half, twice in the red zone.
Meanwhile, the Wildcat offense was connecting on big plays. Palestine threw the ball just three times in the first half, but they went for 160 yards and three touchdowns.
The Wildcats led at the half, 21-0.
A new wrinkle for the shorthanded Hornets included getting both quarterbacks -- Ty Arroyo and Daniel Stanley -- on the field at the same time.
Sometimes Stanley was a wide receiver, sometimes in the backfield, and sometimes at quarterback.
The junior was able to provide a spark for Athens and accounted for the Hornets only score when he hit Cedric Lowe for a 43-yard touchdown pass. That drive was kept alive by a successful fake punt when Arroyo hit Timber Crouch for a 25-yard gain.
The Hornet offense was hurt all night, however, by dropped passes and four turnovers.
Palestine finishes out the scoring with touchdown runs of 12, 2, and 15 yards in the second half.
Next up for Athens is Kilgore, who beat Henderson Friday night, 35-9. Kickoff is set for 7:30 at Bruce Field.
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