Chilton County went up 21-0 at halftime Friday and put on the cruise control, but no one told host Monroe County High (1-5, 1-3 Class 5A, Region 3) to stop trying to catch up.

The result was a too close for comfort 21-14 win for the Tigers (3-3, 1-2).

Will Cooper started the scoring with a run of about 50 yards, but the point-after try failed.

Next, it was quarterback Taylor Hughes scoring on a running play. Jalen Osborne ran in the 2-point conversion to make it 14-0.

Hughes added another rushing touchdown before halftime.

But CCHS came out flat in the second half and depended on three consecutive defensive stops in the waning moments to earn the win.

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Big third quarter lifts Verbena over Wolves

Verbena outscored host Fayetteville (1-5, 1-3) 18-0 in the third quarter Friday to turn a relatively close game into a rout.

The Red Devils (4-2, 2-2) led 8-0 after one quarter and 16-3 at halftime.

Kelly Dorsett recorded the first touchdown run, of 56 yards.

Quarterback Brad Boswell found Christian Coston for the 2-point conversion with 1:28 left in the first quarter.

After a second quarter Fayetteville field goal, Dorsett added another rushing touchdown, this time from 15 yards out.

Dustin Short ran in the 2-point conversion.

Kelly Lucas scored from 2 yards out early in the third quarter, and then the Verbena defense got in on the fun.

Bay Lucas returned an interception 50 yards for a touchdown with 5:20 to play in the period, then Brandon White upstaged Lucas, running an interception back 97 yards to conclude the scoring.

Dorsett finished with 120 yards rushing on eight carries. Kelly Lucas ran 13 times for 98 yards.

Jason Ray recorded eight tackles and two sacks, and Blake Gore also had eight tackles.

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Bears win easily at Akron

Billingsley (3-3, 3-3) had no problem at Akron (0-6, 0-5) on Friday, building a 34-0 halftime lead and winning 43-0.

Jimmy Lanier ran seven times for 110 yards and two touchdowns.

Mario Reese completed six passes in 10 attempts for 75 yards and two touchdowns. Raphael Brooks was the recipient of five of those passes for 69 yards and both TDs.

Anthony Edwards led the defense with seven tackles and an interception.