HAZEL GREEN – There wasn’t much of a decision for Hartselle head football coach Bob Godsey Thursday night.

After Hartselle cut the lead to 27-26 on a 32-yard touchdown pass from Jake Tiffin to Jaylan Jackson, Godsey wanted to go for the win and not play for overtime.

While that decision wasn’t surprising, the target on the play completely fooled everyone.

Luke Southerland, a senior who didn’t have a reception in his career, became the hero by catching Tiffin’s pass for a two-point conversion, lifting Hartselle (7-3) to a 28-27 win on the Trojans’ senior night.

“That was always our two-point play,” Tiffin said. “We knew coming down the stretch that we were going to that play, especially when we knew that everyone was flying at (No.) 1 (Jaylan Jackson). When they flied over, they left Luke wide open. Last year, he could have caught the game-winner against Decatur. We tell him that every day, but he finally caught one.”

Godsey, who notched his 150th career win, said Southerland embodies why this team is so special.

“There’s a man right there in Luke Southerland that has worked to achieve what he has achieved,” Godsey said. “It didn’t come easy. A lot of kids wouldn’t do what he’s done to be a part of productive part of this team. And for him to get a chance like that and come through, you love to see that as a coach.”

Freshman Taylor Easterling paced the Tigers through the first half, rushing for one touchdown in the first quarter and another in the second to help Hartselle build a 14-0 lead.

Hazel Green answered with a 19-yard touchdown to cut the lead to 14-7 early in the second quarter.

The Tigers went back to work and extended the lead back to 20-7 on Tiffin’s 5-yard touchdown run. The extra point was blocked.

Another breakdown in the special teams allowed Hazel Green to return the ensuing kickoff 80 yards, cutting the lead to 20-14.

After a punt, Hazel Green had a chance to cut into the lead right before the half. However, Connor Landers and Holden Langston ended the threat by combining to sack the Trojan quarterback.

The Tiger offense, which was clicking on all cylinders in the first half, could only muster a single first down before the final drive of the game.

Hazel Green dominated the time of possession in the third quarter and cut the lead to 20-17, thanks to a 29-yard field goal.

The Trojans then blocked a punt early in the fourth quarter to score a safety, leaving Hartselle nursing a one-point lead.

Hazel Green drove deep into Hartselle territory but was turned away by Ja’mal Jackson’s first interception. Langston and Chance Walker ended another threat with a sack, forcing a Trojan punt.

However, Hazel Green couldn’t be kept out of the end zone, as the Trojans scored on a 21-yard touchdown. The fake field goal worked for a two-point conversion to put Hazel Green 27-20 with 1:27 left in the game.

Hartselle finally found the spark they needed. Tiffin connected with Ja’mal Jackson twice in a row for 17 yards, moving the Tigers to the Hazel Green 44.

Tiffin then connected with Ja’mal’s twin brother Jaylan for 12 yards and then for the 32-yard touchdown with 42.3 seconds to play.

Godsey said he regretted not going for the two-point conversion against Muscle Shoals earlier in the season in the same situation.

“I didn’t really like our play that week, but I felt good about it this week,” Godsey said. “I’ll take these guys anywhere and play anybody because they lay it on the line every week. That’s all you can ask. We’ve got an opportunity. They earned that opportunity. We had a lot of guys nicked up and a little sick tonight, but they answered the bell like they do every week.”

The Tigers will now travel to Homewood (8-2) for the first round of the playoffs. The Patriots defeated Tuscaloosa County 24-12 Thursday night.

Kickoff at Waldrop Stadium will be at 7 p.m.