Indians' Comeback Falls Short Against Smiths Station

SMITHS STATION, Ala. — Wetumpka High School had its chances Friday night, but Smiths Station’s physical rushing attack and a pair of fourth-quarter touchdowns handed the Indians their second loss of the season. Wetumpka fell to Smiths Station, 28-20, dropping to 4-2 after entering the fourth quarter with a one-point advantage.

The Indians wasted little time finding the end zone. On Wetumpka’s opening possession, quarterback Karsen Tate connected with Deon Floyd for a big gain that moved the Indians to the edge of the red zone. Two plays later, Tate found Jordan Hill on a screen, and Hill worked his way through the defense before diving for the pylon. The four-play scoring drive gave Wetumpka an early 7-0 advantage.

Smiths Station answered almost immediately. Trevon Kee broke loose for a long touchdown run on the Panthers’ second offensive play, tying the game at seven. Wetumpka responded with another explosive play of its own. After Floyd turned a short completion into a first down, Tate took a shot downfield to Patrick Davis. Davis went over the defender and hauled in the pass for a 43-yard touchdown, putting the Indians back in front, 14-7.

Smiths Station’s wishbone attack continued to cause problems, however. Kee scored his second touchdown early in the second quarter, but a mishandled snap on the extra point allowed Jeremiah Sears to make the stop and preserve Wetumpka’s 14-13 lead. That score held through halftime.

Despite missed opportunities, the Indians carried their 14-13 advantage through the third quarter and entered the final 12 minutes in position to earn another road victory. Smiths Station changed the game in the fourth. The Panthers leaned on the same rushing attack they had used throughout the night, methodically moving into Wetumpka territory. Key eventually powered across the goal line on third down to give Smiths Station its first lead. He added the two-point conversion to make it 21-14.

Smiths Station added another touchdown with just under eight minutes remaining, extending the deficit to 28-14 and forcing Wetumpka into comeback mode. The Indians answered. Tate led Wetumpka back down the field and eventually took matters into his own hands, scrambling into the end zone for a fourth-quarter touchdown. Wetumpka attempted to cut the deficit to six with a two-point conversion, but the try came up short, leaving the Indians down 28-20 with 5:30 remaining.

Wetumpka never got the opportunity it needed to complete the comeback. Smiths Station converted a fourth-and-5 in the final minute, allowing the Panthers to run out the clock and hand the Indians the 28-20 loss.

Tate finished 22-of-27 passing for 300 yards and two touchdowns while adding 34 yards and a score on seven rushing attempts. It was easily Wetumpka’s most productive passing performance of the season. Floyd was Tate’s leading target, catching seven passes for 120 yards while adding eight rushing yards. Hill caught nine passes for 71 yards and a touchdown, Davis finished with 48 yards and a score on two receptions, and Kaleb Ballard added two catches for 50 yards.

Defensively, Christian Wilkes led Wetumpka with nine tackles and recovered a fumble. Cooper Wilson and Cameron Cain-Dixon each recorded eight tackles, while Jordan Bracy finished with seven. Cayden Carlisle and Xavier Morris each forced a fumble.

The Indians leave Smiths Station at 4-2 after seeing their late comeback attempt fall one possession short.

Wetumpka will travel to Alexander City on October 2 to face the Benjamin Russell Wildcats (3-2, 3-0) with kickoff scheduled for 7:00 PM.