Tigers squash Saraland

The Demopolis defense set the tone early and held Saraland scoreless in the second half on its way to a 41-14 dismantling of the Spartans Friday night.

Demopolis hung the first points on the board less than four minutes into the game when Tucker Jones hit Cortez Lewis for a 10-yard touchdown pass. The play marked the third straight week Lewis caught the opening score for Demopolis.

09-14-2012 — Demopolis, Ala. — Demopolis QB Tucker Jones releases a pass during the Tigers 41-14 victory over the Saraland Spartans. (Michael Clements / The West Alabama Watchman)

The Tigers found paydirt again on their ensuing possession when Demetrius Kemp plowed over the goal line for a one-yard rushing score.

Saraland got its first hint of life when Mitchell Sanders snagged a 42-yard pass from Jay Ward to launch an 88-yard Spartan scoring drive that ended on a one-yard plunge from Leander Burrowes, cutting the Demopolis lead to 13-7.

Demopolis answered with 6:21 to go in the second quarter when Rodney Harper reached around the helmet of a Spartan defender and tipped the ball to himself in the end zone on a 32-yard touchdown pass from Jones.

09-14-2012 — Demopolis, Ala. — Demopolis WR Rodney Harper reaches around Saraland DB Tanner Grow for a TD reception in the Tigers’ victory on Friday night. (Michael Clements / The West Alabama Watchman)

Saraland showed its resilience again when Mitchell Phillips recovered a fumbled punt to set up a short scoring drive that culminated with a one-yard plunge by Ward.

Kemp responded with what proved to be the backbreaker right before half, reeling off a 90-yard kickoff return for a touchdown to up the Demopolis lead to 27-14.

“That’s huge. It’s a one-score game right there. It was a big momentum swing right there,