Hancock County flexed its muscle on both sides of the ball Friday night, rolling to a 29-7 victory over Bethlehem behind a balanced offensive attack and a stifling defensive performance.
Quarterback Tripp Hager led the way for the Hornets, completing 8-of-12 passes for 117 yards and three touchdowns while adding 26 yards on the ground. Running backs Brady Eubanks and Kalab Helm powered the rushing attack, combining for 218 of the team’s 324 rushing yards.
Cooper Jones was a standout weapon for Hancock, finishing with three touchdowns — two receiving and one rushing. He totaled five catches for 49 yards, three receptions for 68 yards, and added another score on the ground. Jack Roberts also contributed with 26 rushing yards and a 27-yard touchdown reception.
Hancock County jumped ahead late in the first quarter when Hager connected with Jones for a touchdown. After Bethlehem tied the game early in the second, the Hornets took control for good when Jones scored on a rushing play and followed it with a successful two-point conversion.
Grant Smith forced a key fumble in the third quarter that set up another Hager-to-Jones connection to make it 22-7. Hager later found Roberts in the end zone in the fourth quarter to cap the scoring.
The Hornets’ defense was dominant all night, holding Bethlehem to negative rushing yardage at -7 and keeping the Banshees out of the end zone for the final two and a half quarters.
“It was great to see our guys take a long road trip and come out with the win,” head coach Bobby Eubanks said. “Feel like we are playing some of our best ball right now. Proud of our guys and the effort. We made some changes on offense that got some of our best people on the field at the same time and it paid off in a big way.”
Hancock County finishes the regular season at 7-3 and will host Caldwell County next Friday night in the first round of the 2025 Class 2A state football playoffs.
