PREP FOOTBALL: Dadeville comes up short vs. Cordova

CORDOVA — Dadeville kicker Kyle Caldwell’s last-second, 48-yard field goal fell 3 yards short as the Cordova Blue Devils knocked off the Tigers, 36-33, Friday night at Hudson-Kirby Field.

In a game that featured five lead changes in the second half alone, Cordova’s touchdown with 57 seconds remaining gave the Blue Devils the go-ahead touchdown.

Dadeville took a 20-7 lead in the first half, but was unable to slow down Cordova’s Ryan Smith and Jake Howton in the fourth quarter. Howton threw for 104 yards in the final quarter, while Smith rushed for 44 yards.

The duo connected on a 46-yard crossing route to set up Cordova at the 11-yard line. Two plays later, Smith went into the end zone from 5 yards out for the game-winning score.

Cordova opened the scoring with a 52-yard drive for a 7-0 lead.

Dadeville responded with three quick-strike scores.

Miguel Evans went into the end zone from 7 yards out on Dadeville’s third play from scrimmage. Caldwell hit Deshawn Redden for a 69-yard touchdown on the next play from scrimmage for a 14-7 lead and Quen Pearson went 47 yards down the sideline early in the second quarter for a 20-7 edge.

Cordova cut the lead to 20-14 with a 4-yard touchdown pass.

After Cordova took a 21-20 third-quarter lead, Dadeville’s offense went back to work. Caldwell hit Redden for a 14-yard touchdown for a 26-21 lead early in the fourth quarter.

The Blue Devils bounced back with a 23-yard Smith touchdown run.

Dadeville (10-2) took its last lead at 33-29 with 4:14 left when Caldwell connected with Clint Westbrook on a 6-yard strike.

Cordova (11-1) responded with a 66-yard, game-winning drive that ended with Smith’s 5-yard touchdown.

Caldwell finished the game completing 14-of-23 passes for 248 yards, three touchdowns and one interception.