Big third quarter propels Tigers over Rebels, 38-25
The Demopolis Tigers hosted the Rehobeth Rebels in the first round of the 2020 AHSAA state playoffs on Friday night. Following an eight point first half, the Tigers caught fire in the third quarter, scoring 22 points. When it was all over, the Tigers walked away with a 38-25 win over the Rebels.
The Rebels won the opening toss and elected to defer. The Tigers first possession ended with a punt. The Rebels got on the board first with a 4-yard run with 7:05 to go in the first quarter. The PAT was blocked, leaving the Rebels with a 6-0 lead.
The Rebels scored on their second possession of the night on a 34-yard TD pass. The successful PAT increased the Rebel lead to 13-0 over the Tigers with 2:20 to go in the first quarter.
The Tigers got on the board with 10:44 to go in the second quarter on a 1-yard run by Hayes Atkins. Peyton Stevenson added the 2-point conversion, closing the Rebel lead to 13-8.
With 2:20 to go in the first half, the Rebels got into the end zone on 2-yard run on 4th-and-goal. The 2-point try failed, but the Rebels held a 19-8 lead going into halftime.
On the opening kick of the second half and perhaps the momentum changing play of the game, the Rebels mishandled the return and Jim Lawler returned the fumble 28-yards for a touchdown. The 2-point try failed, closing the Rebel lead to 19-14 with 11:50 to go in the third quarter.
The Tiger defense rode the momentum and forced a Rebel punt on their ensuing possession. Kelvin Rowser gave the Tigers the lead with an 8-yard run with 7:43 to go in the third quarter. Atkins converted the 2-point run and the Tigers took a 22-19 lead.
The Rebels answered back on their next possession, connecting on a 71-yard catch-and-run with 5:53 to go in the third quarter. The PAT failed, but the Rebels retook the lead at 25-22.
On the Tigers’ ensuing possession, Tyler Drake connected with Stevenson, who outran Rebel defenders to the end zone following a nice spin and cut back move. The 64-yard score was followed by another Atkins 2-point conversion and gave the Tigers a 30-25 lead with 4:09 to go in the third quarter.
Price Smith picked up the last touchdown of the night on a 4-yard run on 4-th-and-goal with 8:40 to go in the game. Atkins added his third 2-point conversion of the night, giving the Tigers a 38-25 lead.
Stevenson ended the following two Rebel possessions with interceptions and the Tigers claimed their eleventh win of the 2020 season.
“I think we put ourselves in a tough spot, but I’m proud of our players. We got a huge play to start the second half (Lawler’s fumble return). Our guys want to keep playing,” Demopolis head coach Brian Seymore said after the game.
“We’ve got to come out with a little more sense of urgency early. It’s something we didn’t do tonight. We’ve got to cut down the explosive plays. They (Rehobeth) got some explosive plays and that’s something we’ve got to do better with. I’m proud of our guys and the way they responded. We get to play here again next week.”
The Tigers rolled up 423 yards of offense on the night. The balanced attack included 206 yards on the ground and 217 in the air.
Drake completed nine passes for 217 yards with one touchdown. Stevenson had 86 yards and one touchdown on three catches. Camron Wright had two catches for 55 yards and Rowser had one catch for 47 yards. Smith had one catch for 20 yards and Atkins had two catches for nine yards.
Rowser had one touchdown and 126 yards on 19 carries. Atkins had on touchdown and 67 yards on 18 carries. Smith had one touchdown and nine yards on two carries. Lamarion Kelly had two carries for five yards.
The Tigers will host the Faith Academy Rams at Tiger Stadium next Friday night in the second round of the 2020 AHSAA football playoffs. Faith Academy defeated Sylacauga 49-13 in their first round matchup.