Tigers down Falcons 40-24 for Seymore’s 100th win

After making it through the first two games of the 2020 season without a fumble, the Demopolis Tigers coughed the ball up four times, losing three of those, against the Central-Tuscaloosa Falcons. In addition, the Tigers – who played without four of their usual starters – gave up three scoring plays of 39 yards or more. Despite those setbacks, the Tigers showed resiliency and walked away with a 40-24 win for head coach Brian Seymore’s 100th coaching victory.

As in the previous two games of the 2020 season, neither the Tigers nor their opponent were able to get the ball into the end zone in the first quarter. Of note, the Tigers lost fumbles on both their first two possessions of the night. But the Tigers were threatening as the scoreless first quarter came to an end.

With only eight seconds of the second quarter passed, the Tigers’ Tyler Drake hit Peyton Stevenson for an 11-yard touchdown pass. The Eagles blocked the PAT and the Tigers took a 6-0 lead with 11:52 to go in the second quarter.

The Falcons wasted little time striking back on a 39-yard touchdown pass. The PAT failed and the score was tied 6-6 with 10:32 to go in the second quarter.

As the Tigers threatened to score after getting inside the Falcon 20, the third Tiger fumble of the night was picked out of the air and returned 95 yards for a touchdown. The PAT was no good and the Falcons took a 12-6 lead with 7:14 to go in the first half.

The Tigers got their second touchdown of the night when Stevenson lined up at the quarterback position and punched it in from one yard out with 4:19 to go in the half. A failed 2-point conversion attempt left the score tied at 12-12. The first half ended with that score.

The Falcons, who won the opening toss and elected to defer, took the second half kickoff and cashed in with a touchdown pass at the 7:59 mark of the third quarter. An unsuccessful 2-point conversion left the Falcons with an 18-12 lead over the Tigers.

After trading punts, Stevenson faked a run and pulled up to hit Camron Wright for a 14-yard touchdown pass. Cole Wilson hit the PAT and gave the Tigers a 19-18 lead with 52 seconds to go in the third quarter. That score would stand as the quarter ended.

With 5:54 to go in the fourth quarter, Hayes Atkins crashed his way into the end zone from the 4-yard line. Wilson’s PAT was good and the Tigers claimed a 26-18 lead.

The Falcons weren’t done yet, as they returned the ensuing kickoff for a touchdown. Javien Blanks made what could have been the defensive play of the game when he stuffed the Falcon ball carrier behind the line on the Falcons’ 2-point try. The play kept the Tiger lead at 26-24 with 5:43 to go in the game.

The Tigers stretched their lead when Drake connected with Stevenson for a 65-yard touchdown pass. Wilson’s PAT gave the Tigers a 33-24 lead with 4:03 to go.

The Falcons next possession ended when the Tiger defense stopped the Falcons on a fourth down conversion attempt with 2:29 remaining in the game. With 16 seconds remaining, Atkins punched it in from the 2-yard line and Wilson tacked on the PAT to give the Tigers the winning score of 40-24.

“I’m proud of the players. We showed a little grit in the second half,” said head coach Brian Seymore, after the game. “We’re a little banged up, in a lot of areas, and we’re a little short on running backs.”

“I’m a little disappointed and think we gave them everything they got. They had the fumble recovery for a touchdown. We gave them a long pass, then the kickoff return. We’ve got to clean a few things up but we’re making strides. We’ve still go a little way to go.”

Statistic notables for the Tigers’ offense include Drake completing 18 of 31 passes for 297 yards with two touchdowns and Stevenson completing both of his passing attempts which covered 17 yards and included one touchdown. Stevenson also caught two passes for 76 yards, both of which were touchdowns. Additionally, Stevenson had seven carries for 42 yards and one touchdown. Wright caught 7 passes for 123 yards and one touchdown. Atkins had eight carries for 34 yards and two touchdowns.

The Tigers (3-0, 1-0) will be at home next week to host Sipsey Valley (0-3, 0-1).