Photo: Teams line up for a play as Horn Lake challenged Lake Cormorant in the annual Lake Bowl trophy game Friday night at Lake Cormorant. Horn Lake won the game 19-14. (Mary Scott/Oak River Media)
By Bob Bakken
HORN LAKE, Miss. — The Horn Lake Eagles reclaimed bragging rights in the annual Lake Bowl rivalry Friday night, edging the Lake Cormorant Gators 19-14 in a penalty and mistake-filled contest. With the win, the traveling trophy heads back to Horn Lake for another year.
The Eagles struck first after a blocked Lake Cormorant field goal attempt was returned to the two-yard line. On the next series, quarterback James Edwards Jr. connected with Lance McGowan for an eight-yard touchdown to give Horn Lake a 7-0 lead with 3:54 left in the first quarter.
Lake Cormorant answered quickly when quarterback Tylen Matthews dashed 20 yards for a score with 1:41 remaining in the opening frame, but the Gators’ extra point was blocked, leaving Horn Lake ahead 7-6.
After a scoreless second quarter, Horn Lake extended its lead in the third when standout running back Floyd Sinegal broke free for a 71-yard touchdown run. The Eagles’ extra point try was again blocked, but they led 13-6.
Matthews kept the Gators alive early in the fourth quarter with a 33-yard touchdown run, his second of the night, and then powered across the goal line on a two-point conversion to put Lake Cormorant ahead 14-13.
Horn Lake delivered the final blow with just 2:37 remaining as Edwards plunged in from one yard out for the game-winning score.
Both teams now sit at 2-1 on the season. Horn Lake will host South Panola next Friday while Lake Cormorant plays at Southaven.
Bob Bakken provides content for DeSoto County News and its social media channels. He is an award-winning broadcaster, along with being a reporter and photographer, and has done sports media relations work with junior and minor league hockey teams. Along with his reports on this website, you will find this veteran media member providing sports updates and high school football play-by-play on Rebel 95.3 FM Radio.
