Demopolis stalls in regular season finale

November 3, 2018 Jeremy D. Smith AHSAA, Alabama, Demopolis, demopolis high school, DHS, football, prep sports, Tigers

11-2-18 — Demopolis, Ala. — Demopolis’ Tavian Brown sacks the Aggies’ quarterback during the Tigers’ game against Jackson High School.

Demopolis saw its eight game win streak come to a screeching halt Friday night as it struggled to find any offensive rhythm in a 21-7 loss to Jackson. The Tigers punted the ball seven times and turned it over twice in the non-region contest that punctuated the 2018 regular season.

11-2-18 — Demopolis, Ala. — Demopolis’ C.J. Williams returns the opening kickoff during the Tigers’ game against the Jackson Aggies. Williams would later leave the game with an ankle injury.

“They showed up and played a good game,” Demopolis coach Brian Seymore said. “They had a really good plan on both sides of the ball and we couldn’t establish the run game. They did a good job trying to take our big play receivers away. It came down to execution. Those guys did a better job preparing their guys.”

In the pivotal sequence of the game, Jataurrean Jones left the game in the fourth quarter due to injury. Leading 13-7, Jackson went right after the sore spot in the Tiger secondary. Lane Rotch threw over the top to a wide open Nehemiah Pritchett, who took the ball down to the Tiger 2. The defense forced the Aggies backward on Tavian Brown run stuff and an Avake Jones tackle for loss before Jataurrean Jones returned to the field and intercepted an end zone heave for his second pick of the night. The sophomore corner returned the ball out to the Aggie 22.

11-2-18 — Demopolis, Ala. — Demopolis’ Keyjun Gracie (5) scores the lone touchdown for the Tigers as Nepo Scott, Jr. (67) watches for would-be tacklers during their game against the Jackson Aggies.

Demopolis proved incapable of picking up a first down and was forced to punt it away.

“The second half, I thought our defense played a lot better. I thought some guys really stepped up in certain spots. The credit goes back to those guys. They did a tremendous job,” Seymore said. “During the pivotal part of the game, we’ve got to learn to get first downs. We’ve got to learn to execute, move the chains, and put a drive together.”

Pritchett struck again on the punt, catching the kick and returning it 62 yards for the game-icing touchdown.

Jackson started the scoring on a 41-yard strike from Rotch to Nike Jackson. D.J. Powell later connected with DeyJun Hunt on a 46-yard touchdown pass for the 13-0 advantage.

Demopolis got on the board when Keyjun Gracie caught a pitch on a reverse and scored from six yards out.

Demopolis (8-2) opens the Class 5A playoffs at home next Friday night when it hosts Faith Academy.