Hixson 28, Page 21Star: Hixson’s James Cole had 178 yards rushing, a 95-yard TD, two interceptions, eight tackles, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.Up next: Hixson (9-2) will meet Livingston Academy in the second round, while Page ends the season at 6-5
Hixson senior running back and safety James Cole smiled and then paused before pondering the question of whether Friday’s TSSAA Class 4A playoff opening-round clash with Page now stood as the best game of his high school career.
There was no question that Cole left an indelible mark on Hixson’s 28-21 victory over the visiting Patriots. The senior’s collective stat lines from his offensive and defensive performance rank as one of the most impressive in the entire area this season.
On offense, Cole rushed for 178 yards on 21 carries and immediately changed the momentum in the early moments of the game after the Patriots had driven the ball to Hixson’s 1-yard line before fumbling back to the Wildcats. On the second play from the shadow of the Hixson goal line, Cole raced past the Page front line and went 95 yards for the game’s first score.
Hixson’s James Cole breaks away from Page defenders Tyler Thieman, left, and Tim Cotton, center, to run a 95-yard touchdown.On defense, Cole pulled in two interceptions, the most impressive of which was an acrobatic takeaway from a Page receiver in the end zone with Hixson leading 21-14 in the third quarter. One series earlier, Cole stripped and recovered a Page fumble at the Hixson4.