NASHVILLE — Cole Malawy threw five touchdown passes, and Nashville’s defense shutout Carterville in the second half to lift the Hornets to a come from behind 41-27 win.

The Hornets rallied from 14-0 and 21-7 deficits, with three of Malawy’s TD passes coming in the second quarter. Two went to Isaac Turner covering 65 and 66 yards on back to back possessions to pull Nashville within 21-20.

Preston Sumner’s 65-yard touchdown run put the Lions back up 27-20, as the two teams combined for four TDs of 60 yards or more in the second quarter. Sumner also had a 60-yard touchdown reception from Eli Downen earlier in the quarter.

Nashville fumbled the ensuing kickoff, giving Carterville an opportunity to push the lead back to two scores by halftime with the Lions getting the ball to start the third quarter. The Hornets defense stiffened, stopping the Lions on downs.

That momentum carried over to the second half, as Nashville kept the Lions at bay. Meanwhile, the Hornet offense found the end zone three times in the second half. Connor Gladson’s four yard touchdown run tied the game at 27, then Malawy and Jaxon Goforth connected for their second touchdown to give the Hornets their first lead of the game at 34-27.

Malawy and Goforth connected for a third touchdown in the fourth quarter for insurance, but the Hornets defense saw to it that it wasn’t necessary.

Downen threw two touchdowns and ran in a third for the Lions, who lost senior speedster Bryce Anderson to injury in the first series of the game.

Nashville improves to 2-0 and will step out of conference play next week to visit Breese Mater Dei. Carterville falls to 1-1. The Lions will travel to Sparta next week.