HALLSVILLE — Sulphur Springs will have a chance to defend its state title at the expense of the Hallsville Bobcats.

For the second straight year, the Wildcats thwarted Hallsville playoff hopes as Sulphur Springs prevailed, 27-17, Friday at Bobcat Stadium.

Hallsville (3-7, 2-4) lost despite forcing five turnovers and scoring a defensive touchdown.

The Bobcat offense was sluggish throughout the game, finishing with just 165 total yards. Starting quarterback Brandon Denton went down with an apparent ankle injury in the second quarter and did not return. Jared Simpson came off the bench and finished 5-for-17 for 70 yards and a fourth-quarter touchdown pass. Quantrail Johnson missed the second quarter after taking a hard hit, but still managed 79 yards on 19 carries.

The first half was a defensive struggle for both teams. Devin Lipsey, T.D. Snyder and Cayden Ferrill each picked off passes for Hallsville, the last of which set up a 32-yard field goal by Austin Lightle.

Sulphur Springs moved 62 yards on the opening drive of the second half, including a 46-yard pass from Colton Lee to LeMarcus Kendricks.

Fernando Arellano kicked a 26-yard field goal with 9:37 left in the third quarter to give the Wildcats a permanent lead.

Sulphur Springs opened up a 17-3 lead on touchdown runs by Kody Chester and Devion Hill on the its last drive of the third quarter and first drive of the fourth.

The Bobcats answered with an eight-play, 63-yard drive which was capped off with a 16-yard scoring toss from Simpson to Lipsey.

Sulphur Springs put the game away when Lee scored on a seven-yard quarterback keeper with 2:45 remaining in the game. The Wildcats regained possession, but Ferrill forced a fumble and Chase Reeder returned the loose ball 10 yards for a touchdown with 2:07 left on the clock.

Ferrill also knocked down a pass and had two of the Bobcats' four sacks on the night. Bo Marcum had a big night, including three tackles in the backfield.

Lee finished 14 of 24 passing for 119 yards passing for the Wildcats. Chester led the Sulphur Springs running game with 81 yards on 10 carries.

Sulphur Springs won despite five turnovers and 12 penalties for 110 yards.