Tigers dominate in region win over Bears, 60-12
After picking up a forfeit win last week, the Demopolis Tigers looked to be more than ready to return to competition. The Tigers put 34 points on the board in the first half, and cruised to a 60-12 region victory over the Sipsey Valley Bears.
The Tigers won the opening toss and elected to receive. The Tigers’ opening drive carved four minutes off the clock and ended when Craig Nichols punched it in from four yards out. Joseph Gantt’s PAT kick gave the Tigers the lead with 8:00 to go in the first quarter.
After trading possessions, the Tigers got a huge break when a Sipsey Valley player touched a bouncing punt and it was recovered by the Tigers. Nichols picked up his second touchdown of the game on an 8-yard run with 48 seconds remaining in the first quarter. Gantt’s PAT gave the Tigers a 14-0 lead over the Bears.
Following a Matthew Witherspoon interception for the Tigers, Nichols added his third touchdown of the half on another 4-yard run into the end zone. The PAT failed, giving the Tigers a 20-0 lead at the 7:24 mark of the second quarter.
The Tigers successfully recovered an onside kick on the ensuing kickoff, ending with Nichols’ fourth touchdown of the night. The 3-yard run and successful PAT gave the Tigers a 27-0 lead with 4:09 remaining in the first half.
The Tigers’ final score of the first half came on a Drew Seymore to Montgomery Freeman 5-yard touchdown pass with 17 seconds remaining in the half. Gantt’s PAT stretched the Tigers lead to 34-0 over the Bears.
After receiving the opening second half kick, the Bears went three-and-out. Kelvin Rowser picked up his first touchdown of the night on a 60-yard run, crossing the goal line with 9:34 to go in the third quarter. An unsuccessful PAT left the Tigers with a 40-0 lead over the Bears.
Sipsey Valley got on the board with a 5-yard touchdown pass at the 7:37 mark of the third quarter and 2-point conversion pass attempt was broken up by the Tiger defense. The score closed the Tigers’ lead to 40-6 over the Bears.
The Tigers answered the Bears’ score with Kelvin Rowser’s second touchdown run of the night. The 6-yard run and successful PAT gave the Tigers a 47-6 lead with 3:01 to go in the third quarter.
Witherspoon’s second interception of the night provided Lamarion Kelly the opportunity for his first touchdown of the night. Kelly’s 2-yard run came with 48 seconds remaining in the third quarter. The Tigers took a 53-6 lead, following an unsuccessful PAT.
With a noticeable number of clean jerseys in the game for the Tigers, the Bears were able to connect for a 60-yard touchdown pass at the 11:02 mark of the fourth quarter. The Tiger defense broke up a 2-point conversion try, resulting in a 53-12 lead for the Tigers.
Keishawn Rowser picked up the final touchdown of the night for the Tigers on a 4-yard run. The successful PAT gave the Tigers the final margin of victory at 60-12 at the 5:24 mark of the fourth quarter.
The Tigers rolled up 486 yards of total offense on the night. 332 yards came on 51 rushing attempts, with 154 yards coming on 20 completed passes. The Tigers totalled nine touchdowns on the night.
Kelvin Rowser totaled 110 yards on nine carries and tallied two touchdowns. Nichols had 20 carries for 84 yards and collected four touchdowns. Keishawn Rowser had one touchdown on eight carries and totaled 45 yards. Lamarion Kelly had six carries for 35 yards with one touchdown. James Mason added 40 yards on five carries and Anthony Weaver had two carries for 14 yards. Seymore added four yards on one carry.
Freeman totaled five catches on the night, for 37 yards and the lone receiving touchdown. Vincent Deas had four catches for 41 yards. Harrison Carroll and Kenon Rowser totalled 26 yards receiving each, Carroll with three catches and Rowser with four catches. Demetrius Allen had two catches for 18 yards and Kentrell Adams added six yards on two receptions.
The Tigers (2-2, 2-0) will travel to Columbiana next week for a region matchup with the Shelby County Wildcats.