CLANTON &045;&045; If this is what the rest of the season is going to be like, Dallas County fans better check the batteries in their pacemakers.

Hornets coach Rick Bush was a ramblin’, gamblin’ man Friday night as his Hornets squared off against Chilton County High School in Clanton.

Bush wanted to test his team so he put them in some tough situations, including going for it on fourth-and-3 at midfield with just over a minute to play and a single point lead.

The Hornets defense held tough and kept Chilton out of the end zone to preserve the 20-19 victory.

Bush said it was a good test for the team that opens the season for real next week, hosting Maplesville.

After Chilton struck first scoring through the air, Dallas County went to work.

A couple of big hitters from Zack Wilson and third down conversion by fullback Carlos Peoples got Dallas County close to pay dirt.

On fourth and 3 at the 10, quarterback Derrick McGhee pitched to Wilson who scampered down to the 2.

Wilson punched it in and Anthony Wilson added the extra point to tie the game at seven.

A sack by Dallas County’s Brandon Scott helped kill the Tigers’ drive and force a short punt.

Taking over at their own 43, Dallas County went back to work.

McGhee called his own number and scampered 21 yards on first down.

Kashavious White then carried twice for a total of 8 yards.

On third and two, he was stuffed setting up another fourth down. Wilson punched ahead for 8 yards and moved the chains for Dallas County.

Giving up another fourth-down conversion broke the Tigers backs as Randall Browder took a 23-yard sweep to the end zone for the score.

Wilson added the extra point and the teams went to the locker room at halftime with the Hornets ahead 14-7.

The Hornets’ opening drive stalled, but Bush decided to test his defense.

He called a running play on fourth on 10 at his own 47.

Browder was dropped for a loss, setting Chilton up at the DC 43.

The Tigers moved the ball, but big hits from Michael Johnson and Maurice Carter helped kill the drive.

On fourth and long, Rafael Miller picked off a Chilton pass at his own 10-yard line.

Quarterback Clint Cooper moved the chains with a 22-yard strike to Johnson.

Z. Wilson broke off a long run deep into Chilton territory only to have it called back.

A fumble ended the drive.

With good field position, Chilton drove down and punched the ball home.

The failed conversion try left them down 14-13.

Dallas County quickly responded. Peoples ran hard and Cooper hit Johnson for 20 more yards.

Browder and Z. Wilson picked up 8 yards each and the Hornets had the ball on the Chilton 2.

The Tigers defense held twice and Bush didn’t wait until fourth down to test his troops.

He screamed for one more yard from the sideline drawing jeers from Tigers fans.

But the ploy worked, Z. Wilson scored again. A. Wilson’s extra point try was taken off the board by a penalty.

A bad snap killed the second try and the lead was 20-13.

Chilton fought back and scored again but missed on the two-point try.

Dallas County tried to run out the clock but gave the ball back near midfield.

The Tigers struggled to move the ball, but had one chance to get close. On third down, a receiver got open on a post deep.

The throw was on the money, but dropped, then Browder knocked the receiver out of the game.

Chilton’s last chance fell incomplete and Dallas County walked away with the win.