WOODVILLE — After falling to Franklin County last week, the Wilkinson County Wildcats needed a big win over rival Jefferson County to stay in the hunt for a Class 3A playoff spot.

And thanks to the arm of quarterback Brian Montgomery, they got it.

Montgomery threw a 30-yard touchdown pass to Darius Hunter with 17 seconds remaining to lift the Wildcats to a thrilling 26-18 victory over the Tigers.

Wilkinson County is now 5-2 overall and 1-1 in Region 7-3A while Jefferson County fell to 4-2 and 1-1 in region play.

“This win puts us back in the race,” Wilkinson County coach Elbert Lyles said. “The kids came out in the second half and put it on the line for us.”

Harton had a spectacular night for the Wildcats, running for a touchdown and throwing for three more.

After a scoreless first quarter, Harton’s 10-yard touchdown run put Wilkinson County up 6-0 early in the second quarter.

However, two quick-strike Jefferson County touchdowns late in the half gave the Tigers the lead.

Jefferson County tied the game on a 12-yard pass from Kiwaski Tenner to Frank Harris with 2:56 remaining in the half.

And after Jefferson County’s defense forced a Wildcat punt, Robert Wells took the kick and raced 93 yards to the house to put the Tigers up 12-6 at the half.

Wilkinson County scored twice in the third quarter to take an 18-6 lead.

Montgomery threw a 35-yard touchdown pass to Devin Voorhies to tie the score. Then later in the quarter, he threw a 10-yard scoring pass to Kenyon McDonald.

Jefferson County came back to tie the game at 18 midway through the fourth quarter on a 1-yard run by Tenner, which set up Wilkinson County’s heroics in the final seconds.

“We established ourselves on both sides of the ball,” Lyles said. “Hopefully we can build off of this.”