A pair of missed conversion attempts came back to haunt the visiting Hundred Hornets Aug. 31, as the host Hannan Wildcats defeated the Wetzel County team 22-20.

The Hornets’ Chris Varner rushed for a 37 and a 77-yard touchdown, while tossing a 74-yard touchdown pass to Brandon White. Varner also completed a two-point conversion pass to Andrew King to pace the Hornets offensively.

Varner finished the game with 166 yards rushing and two touchdowns, while White, J.P. Hennen, Tyler Koontz and Isaac Efaw added productive yards rushing. White, King and Logan Kuhn each hauled in a Varner pass to account for 82 yards.

Defensively, Hennen was on top of his game, dropping 18 Wildcat ball carriers, while Efaw decked 15 more. Varner and White Koontz each added 10 tackles to go along with the outstanding play by first-year player Eric Dupree, who stands 6’3″ and tilts the scales at 300 pounds. Kuhn added seven tackles, while Rocky Tennant added a quarterback hurry. Varner and White each dropped the Wildcat quarterback on sacks.

“Dupree reminds me of the Blind Side movie. He is just as quick and is going to be the real deal down the road if he continues to listen and do what we ask him,” said Hornet Head Coach and Athletic Director Rex Rush.

“The boys gave me everything they had, and we left it all on the field. Varner is playing great right now and the kids are biting into what we want to accomplish.”

The Hornets will host Valley in the Wetzel County version of the BackYard Brawl Friday at 7:30 p.m. on Cosgray Field in Hundred. Bring an appetite to the game. The Hornet Boosters’ concession stand, with Virgil Wilkins in charge, will have your favorites on hand, including Virgil’s homemade french fries.