By Stanley Wilson,
Times Daily

For Lawrence County, snapping a 21-year playoff drought was so close, yet so far away.

The Wildcats came up four yards short of the winning touchdown on the final play of the game, dropping a 28-24 decision to Tullahoma on Friday.

Trailing by four points, Garrick Barnett completed a Hail Mary to Trae Brannon, but the wide receiver was tackled at the Tullahoma 4 as time expired, ending the Wildcats’ quest to make the playoffs.

Lawrence County finishes the season 4-6, including 2-4 in region play.

Tullahoma is 6-4 and will travel for its first-round playoff game.

Chris Bishop had a big night for Tullahoma, scoring all four touchdowns. His final score came on a 3-yard run with 25 seconds to play that proved to be the game-winner.

Bishop scored on a pair of 1-yard runs in the second quarter as Tullahoma jumped in front 14-0.

The Wildcats fought back with 17-consecutive points. Barnett hit Jared Green with a 41-yard TD pass to cut the gap to 14-7 at the half.

The Wildcats opened the second half by recovering an onside kick and tied it when Blake Rogers picked up teammate Coty Walters’ fumble and ran 14 yards.

Moments later, the Wildcats took the lead after recovering a Tullahoma fumble. Nick Campbell kicked a career-best 47-yard field goal for a 17-14 lead.

However, Bishop’s 16-yard run put Tullahoma back on top 21-17 at the end of three quarters.

Barnett’s 11-yard pass to Brannon with 8:42 to play gave the Wildcats 24-21 lead.

The Wildcats had a chance to put the game away on its next possession, but an ineligible receiver downfield and a personal foul nullified a pass play to the Tullahoma 1. After Campbell punted, Tullahoma went 80 yards for the winning score.