Williamson’s Wolfpack came back in the second half on Friday night to defeat the Hannan Wildcats 44-16 and win their homecoming.

Wolfpack Head Coach C. Douglas Ward contributed the win to the defense for coming alive after half-time.

“I think our boys realized that we were in a ball game in the second half and they stepped up and played football the way it was supposed to be played,” said Ward. “We started playing defense and we didn’t give up any points.”

Saying he was proud of the offensive line, Ward said, “Tonight I think we blocked very well and that gives our backs an opportunity to make plays.

“I think sometimes we just don’t answer the alarm, you got to come out and play that first half, just like you play the second,” said Ward. “That has just been a problem for us.”

Players Bobby Hurley, Jordan Cisco, Israel Reynolds, Tyler Hager, Will Hale, and Chris Hatcher led the team in tackles.

The team had a total of 46 carries, 372 rushing yards and 406 offensive yards.

Ward said players, Jordan Cisco, with three carries, 8 yards and one touchdown; along with Caleb Stacy and Joseph Bucci, assisted in the win.

“Jordan Cisco the second half, our leader on defense, got them headed in the right direction,” Ward said. “I am really proud of freshman Joseph Bucci, he did a real good job for us.”

Other players scoring for Williamson included Matt Wellman with 10 carries for 58 yards with one touchdown; Chris Hatcher with 16 carries, 128 yards, three touchdowns, two separate 2-point conversions and two extra point kicks; Chuckie White with four carries for 67 yards; Israel Varney with five carries for 18 yards; Justin Hensley with six carries for 88 yards and one touchdown; and Matt Barker with two carries for five yards.

Hannan’s Head Coach Dave Barr was not at all disappointed with his players, and said the team’s size served as a handicap against Williamson.

“I was really proud of the effort our kids gave, especially in the first half, and for having no more kids than we do, I thought our kids really came out and battled,” said Barr. “We have fourteen kids and most of the teams we play can run fresh bodies in and out once and a while, but our guys have to stay in no matter how tired they are and we just really ran out of gas in the second half.”

“I really give a lot of credit to Coach Warden and his players, they kept on playing hard and this was a game both sides of the stadium can be proud of because the amount of effort their kids put in tonight,” said Barr.

Next week Williamson High School will be on the road to Burch High School to go up against the Bulldogs.