CLEVELAND, Tenn. - Bradley Central's game plan for Science Hill projected Adam Mullis and his offensive line having a notable performance, but even coach Damon Floyd didn't envision the senior running back's dominating 177-yard game to help beat the Hilltoppers 41-34 in the first round of the Class 6A playoffs.
"Our offensive line won the game and Adam Mullis won the game," Floyd said after Bradley Central (9-2) advanced to play Dobyns-Bennett next week. "It was my fault last week for going away from Adam too early, so I'm glad he had the night he did."
Mullis' strong night started early for the Bears with nearly 100 yards before halftime, but visiting Science Hill (7-4) snatched the momentum in the third quarter.
Following a 1-yard score by Bradley quarterback Dylan Standifer that gave the Bears a 21-14 lead, the Hilltoppers' T.J. Patton answered immediately with a 92-yard kickoff return for a touchdown.
Two plays later, Standifer dropped back on third down and made his only passing mistake of the night - an interception that set up Science Hill's nonchalant two-play scoring drive.
Standifer eventually made up for the interception down the stretch with a 5-yard touchdown run for the tie and an 11-yard pass to Nick Howell for the lead. However, the largest difference in the game came when Standifer completed a 30-yard fourth-down pass up the right sideline to Lameric Tucker after lining up in punt formation.
"We've actually never run that play before," Tucker said about the fake punt. "I got a touchdown called back the play before because I was on the line, and Coach Floyd told me I messed up but he was going to give me another chance. He called that on the next play, and Dylan put it up where I can get it."
The play fell 6 yards short of a touchdown, but Mullis got the points and sealed the win for the Bears on the very next play.
Standifer finished with 139 yards passing, with 121 yards going to Tucker. Standifer also rushed for 61 yards and the two touchdowns.
Contact John Mitchell at sports@timesfreepress.com.