Purnell Swett Loses Heartbreaker to Hillside

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DURHAM — Purnell Swett has been on the losing end of many close games this year.

The trend continued Friday night in arguably the most exciting — and most improbable — finish of the first round of the NCHSAA Playoffs, as Swett fell to Durham Hillside, 38-32, in overtime.

The Rams squandered an 18-6 first-half lead.

In the game’s closing moments, Swett and host Hillside were tied at 26-26 with 25 seconds left when Hillside threw an interception that was picked off by Juwan Jones and returned 25 yards for a go-ahead touchdown to put the Rams up 32-26 with 19.2 seconds left.

Somehow that was still enough time for Hillside to respond.

The Hornets used a good kick return and an ensuing first down to set up a game-tying hail mary touchdown pass in the waning seconds, sending the game into overtime.

In the extra session, the Rams missed a field goal and the Hornets followed with a 25-yard touchdown run by Khris Fransis to claim the overtime victory.

Swett’s loss makes the heralded Southeastern Conference 0-5 on the night.