Undefeated No More: Bradford First Team to Beat Hawthorne

Caleb Wiegandt also contributed to this story.

The Hawthorne Hornets lost the battle against the Bradford Tornadoes in Thursday’s non-conference away game, giving the Hornets (3-1) their first loss of the season. 

After beating P.K. Yonge  (2-3) last week 14-13 in a last-minute comeback, their winning streak has been halted.

The Hornets defense fell flat in the 4th quarter, resulting in Bradford (2-4) winning 28-25 after a 20 point comeback in the 4th quarter.

Hawthorne started out hot in the 1st quarter. An 8-yard touchdown pass from Chaz Mackey to Jamal Nealy gave the Hornets a 7-0 lead in the first quarter, and Dre Lawrence added a 4-yard score giving Hawthorne a 13-0 lead in the second. 

However, Bradford quickly responded with an 80-yard touchdown drive and a 2-point conversion, cutting the lead to 13-8 at halftime. 

BRADFORD NOT GIVING UP WITHOUT A FIGHT

A 2-yard touchdown run by Brian Jones gave Hawthorne a 19-8 lead with 6:02 left in the 3rd quarter. Lawrence then added again to that lead, racing 25 yards untouched up the middle for a score of 25-8 at the end of the 3rd. 

That didn’t stop the Tornadoes with Dae’jon Shanks completing a pass to Dante Balfour for a 15-yard touchdown, cutting Hawthorne’s lead to 11 early in the 4th quarter. Bradford stayed hot as Shanks got a 38-yard touchdown and completed the two-point conversion, changing the score to 25-22 with 5:35 left in the game. After Bradford recovered a Hawthorne fumble, Shanks put Bradford in front with a quarterback sneak, giving a 28-25 win to the Tornadoes.

LOOKING AHEAD

Hawthorne will look to come back on Friday, October 23 against Class 1A No. 3 Union County (3-1).

Bradford looks to stay hot against Class 3A no. 5 P.K. Yonge (2-3).

BOX SCORE

                               1       2        3       4        F

Hawthorne         7       6      12       0       25

Bradford             0       8       0       20      28