FLORENCE — A loss on homecoming night was not what Florencefans were expecting Friday night but that’s what happened after acontroversial and high scoring game. The Wesson Cobras remainedundefeated at 5-0 as they knocked off a Class 4A foe, winning42-37.

The Cobras started on their 47-yard line after a D.J. Colemanreturn. After a bad pitch on an option play that made it 2nd and22, quarterback Matt Smith took the ball to the house for a 65-yardtouchdown run with 11:28 left in the first quarter. The Cobras led6-0 after the blocked extra point.

On the ensuing kickoff, Jovontae Thurmon returned the ball 89 yardsfor a Florence touchdown with 11:12. The PAT was good by BrandonKing and the Eagles led 7-6.

An onside kick was recovered by the Eagles and they marched theball down the field on 4 plays and ended the drive with a 36-yardtouchdown pass from Sam Vincent to Nick Williams with 9:53 left inthe first quarter. Florence led 14-6.

After a 33-yard return by Paxton Cupit, the Cobras answered with a5-play drive that ended with Coleman putting it in the end zonefrom 33 yards out with 6:07 left in the quarter. Gage Wilson ranthe ball in for the 2-point try and the game was tied at 14all.

Wesson regained possession and the Cobras took full advantage. Theygot a 33-yard run from Smith and a 7-yard pass from Smith to GageWilson to set up a 1-yard touchdown run from Wilson and cap a9-play, 60-yard drive with 23 seconds left in the quarter. The PATwas blocked and the Cobras led 20-14.

Smith’s punt to the Eagles returner, Josh Gladney, was muffed andwas recovered by Coleman on the 11. After two plays, Smith hookedup with Paxton Cupit for a 12-yard touchdown. Gage Wilson put theball in for a 2-point conversion and Wesson led 28-14 with 6:37left in the half.

The Eagles got the ball and scored on a 7-yard drive with a shovelpass from Sam Vincent to Jovontae Thurmon for 5 yards. The PAT wasgood and the Eagles cut the lead to 28-21 with 2:31 left in thehalf.

The Cobras answered after a horse collar penalty call and a 30-yardpass from Smith to Paxton Cupit. Smith ran the ball in from 10yards out with 19 seconds left in the half. The 2-point conversionwas good on a pass from Smith to Cupit and the Cobras led36-21.

The Eagles took the ball down the field on 5 plays and scored ontheir first possession of the second half. JK Thompson took it infrom 11 yards out. The conversion failed and the score was36-27.

Florence’s Brandon King kicked a 31-yard field goal with 4:55 leftin the quarter and the Cobras led 36-30.

After Cupit recovered an Eagle fumble at his 5-yard line, Cobrasthen traded punts and Wesson took over on the 11-yard line. Smithcompleted a pass to Coleman for 89 yards and a touchdown with 7:02left in the game. The Cobras led 42-30.

After a Wesson kickoff was returned to the 31, the Eagles’ JorrellThurmon, caught a pass for 63 yards on a controversial touchdown.Thurmon never came onto the field and Wesson coach Tommy Cloptonargued that it was illegal participation. However, the call stoodand the Eagles cut the lead 42-37.

The leader for Florence on offense was Sam Vincent who was 13-of-27for 292 yards and 3 touchdowns. Jorrell Thurmon led the team with 4catches for 127 yards and a TD. Jovontae Thurmon had 6 carries for30 yards.

Defensively the Eagles were led by DG Liddell with 14 tackles andCameron Fitzgerald with 8 tackles.

Offensively, the Cobras were led by Smith who was 4 for 8 for 139yards and 2 touchdowns. Smith also had 17 carries for 123 and a TD.Gage Wilson carried 8 times for 37 yards. Steve Jones ran 10 rushesfor 24 yard and Coleman had 6 carries for 27 yards and atouchdown.

Coleman also had one catch for 89 yards and a score. Paxton Cupithad 2 catches for 38 yards and a score.

Defensively, Gage Wilson, Morgan Robinson and Payton Cupit each had8 tackles for the Cobras.