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.