CLASS A: WESLEYAN 20, LINCOLN COUNTY 12: Welton throws 3 TD passes

The mystique of powerhouse Lincoln County was little match Friday night for the upstart Wesleyan Wolves, who defeated the storied Red Devils 20-12 at Henderson Stadium.

Making their first appearance in the Class A semifinals, the Wolves played with the poise and prowess typically associated with Lincoln County over the past four decades.

“This is tremendously meaningful for our kids, our school community and our coaching staff,” Wesleyan coach Franklin Pridgen said. “I just want to make sure this isn’t a dream.”

Protecting a one-point lead, the Wolves delivered a staggering blow to the Red Devils when Conor Welton fired a 20-yard touchdown pass to Daniel Cardwell to put the Wolves ahead 20-12 with 7:39 to play.

Lincoln’s best hope for a comeback slipped away when C.J. Jones fumbled at Wesleyan’s 31 with five minutes remaining.

The biggest victory in Wesleyan history came against Larry Campbell, the state’s all-time winningest coach.

“This is about these guys, not about me,” Pridgen said. “It’s not about Coach Campbell. It’s about the way these guys fight. And I’m just proud of them.”

The Wolves took a 13-6 lead midway through the third quarter when Bobby Worthington scored on a 13-yard touchdown pass from Welton.

The Red Devils responded five minutes later on a 22-yard scoring run by Jafabian Green. Lincoln County rolled the dice by opting for a two-point conversion, but the Wolves stuffed the running play to preserve a 13-12 advantage with 2:55 to play in the third quarter.

Lincoln County scored on its second possession of the night to take a 6-0 lead on A.G. Middlebrooks’ 75-yard run.

The momentum swung to Wesleyan after the Wolves took possession at their 20-yard line and pieced together a 16-play drive, culminating in a 5-yard touchdown pass from Welton to Anderson Porter to tie the game at 6-6.