SUMRALL – The Wesson Cobras bounced back after a hard loss last week to earn a 26-16 road win over the Sumrall Bobcats Friday night.

“I thought our defense played well the entire night,” Wesson coach Ronald Greer said. “Our offense came out sluggish in the first half but managed to turn it around and play much better in the second half.

“We cannot continue to turn the ball over as much as we have and we must be more consistent in our kicking game,” Greer said. “I’m really proud of the guys bouncing back and playing as well as they did in the second half. It was good to win.”

The contest began with both offenses struggling to find their rhythm as the Cobras fumbled the ball on their first possession. They managed to get the ball back, however, when Brian Thomas intercepted a pass from the Bobcats in the red zone.

After a series of turnovers, the Bobcats managed to score the first points of the night as Sumrall’s defense forced Wesson to attempt a punt out of the back of the endzone.

Wesson managed to get the ball back from Sumrall on the next possession when Kendrick Brown intercepted a pass from quarterback Rhett Harvey. The Cobras moved down the field and went for a field goal on fourth down. After a bad snap Slay Acy passed the ball into a melee of players, and senior receiver Tyler Granger came down with it to give the Cobras a 6-2 lead.

Wesson managed to score another touchdown to close out the first quarter when Jamarcus Patterson sprinted 76 yards to give the Cobras a 12-2 advantage.

In the second quarter, the Bobcats’ offense started to gain some momentum as quarterback Rhett Harvey moved the ball into Cobras territory and later scored on a two-yard run. The extra point kick was good for the Bobcats and Wesson led 12-9 at halftime.

The second half of the game started with another Cobra fumble on their own 34-yard line, but the Bobcats were not able to take advantage and score.

Wesson came back with a vengeance when Cornelius Barlow received the punt and ran the ball back 65 yards to the Bobcats’ 15-yard line. On the next play, Jamarcus Patterson punched in his second rushing touchdown of the night. The extra point attempt was good by kicker Tre Fleming to give the Cobras a 19-9 lead at the end of the third quarter.

The fourth quarter began with yet another fumble by the Cobras but bad luck was swinging both ways as the Bobcats’ punter kneeled on the fourth down to put Wesson on the five-yard line.

Cornelius Barlow scrambled in for the touchdown, and Tre Fleming kicked a successful extra point to give Wesson a 26-9 lead.

The Bobcats clawed back in the contest after another Cobra fumble gave Sumrall the ball on the Cobras’ three-yard line. Bobcat Ali Coleman ran in for a touchdown as the fourth quarter ended with Wesson winning 26-16.

Wesson finished with 207 yards rushing on 40 carries. Peyton Burns completed 1-of-5 passes for 10 yards, and the Cobras finished with 217 total yards of offense.

Jamarcus Patterson was the top rusher for Wesson with three carries for 88 yards and two touchdowns. Kendrick Brown had eight rushes for 54 yard. Cornelius Barlow returned a punt for 65 yards.

Defensively, Kendrick Brown directed the Cobras with seven tackles and an interception. Bobby Pritchard finished with six tackles and two quarterback sacks. Matthew Craft and Davion Frye provided six stops each; and Brian Thomas had four tackles and an interception.

The Wesson Cobras return home Friday to host the Bogue Chitto Bobcats at Stone Stadium. Kickoff is at 7 p.m.