By Shane Gaut

The Selma Times-Journal

MARION — The Dallas County Hornets’ used a stingy defense and an effective rushing attack to shutout Francis Marion 22-0 Friday night.

“We turned the ball over, had too many penalties and put our defense in some tough situations tonight, but our kids fought hard and pulled through for us,” said Dallas County head coach Barry Colburn.

The Hornets jumped out to an early lead as Xavier Knight took the opening kickoff 85 yards for a quick score, giving Dallas County an 8-0 edge, after the successful two-point conversion.

Defensive back, Shon “Dre” Surles would dive on a mishandled snap by the Rams, giving the ball right back to Dallas County on the Marion 20-yard line.  Again the Hornets wasted no time scoring as Destin Horstead found a seam and muscled 20 yards into the end zone on the first play of the drive. Another converted two-point try would give Dallas County a 16-0 lead with 10:32 remaining in the first quarter.

Both teams struggled offensively from then on, with each team turning the ball over on multiple occasions in the second half. Neither team would profit from the other’s miscues until Dallas County’s Lemond Bethel scooped up a fumble midway through the fourth quarter, giving the Hornets the ball at the Rams’ 39-yard line.

On a fourth down and two from the Rams 8-yard line, Horstead was able to score his second touchdown of the evening with 6:16 remaining in the game. The two-point try failed, leaving the score 22-0.

“It sure wasn’t pretty but it’s win and any win, especially away from home is a good one,” Colburn said.

Dallas County faces off against Dadeville in a region matchup next week in Plantersville.