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Tigers fall to Eagles to open season

Michael Clements , , , , , , , , ,

After taking a 22-14 lead with a little under eight minutes in the fourth quarter, the Demopolis Tigers were unable to protect that lead and gave up two scores to the homestanding Calera Eagles on Friday night. The Eagles picked off a tipped pass and took the lead with 3:25 to go and held on for the win, 26-22.

As can be expected in the first game of the year for two teams, the first quarter was a non-scoring exercise of settling in to live game action that counts on your record.

8-20-2021 — Calera, Ala. — Demopolis’ Cam’ron Wright attempts to elude a Calera defender during the Tigers’ 26-22 loss to the Eagles.

The Tigers got on the scoreboard first when Craig Nichols stepped into the end zone with 4:22 to go in the second quarter. The PAT failed and the Tigers held a 6-0 lead over the Eagles.

A little over a minute later, the Eagles made their first trip into the end zone, with 3:18 to go in the half. The successful PAT gave the Eagles the lead, 7-6.

The Eagles forced a Tiger punt, which was downed at the Eagles’ 42-yard line with 1:58 to go in the half. Approximately one minute later, the Eagles connected on a 44-yard pass for a touchdown. The PAT gave the Eagles the lead, 14-6. The Tigers threatened but were unable to score before the half ended.

The Tigers opened the second half by holding the Eagles on their first possession. Nichols registered his second touchdown of the night on a 4-yard run with 5:25 to go in the third quarter. Linebacker Grey Sharpe got the call for the 2-point conversion try and tacked on the extra two points to tie the game at 14-14.

8-20-2021 — Calera, Ala. — Demopolis’ Dexter Boston flies in for a sack against Calera during the Tigers’ 26-22 loss to the Eagles.

Nichols gave the Tigers the lead when he added his third touchdown of the night at the 8:20 mark of the fourth quarter. Matthew Witherspoon added the 2-point conversion run, giving the Tiger the lead at 22-14.

Very similar to the events of the first half, the Eagles answered with their third touchdown at the 7:47 mark of the fourth quarter. The Tigers stuffed the 2-point try to hold onto the 22-20 lead.

The Tigers next possession ended when an Eagles’ defensive back picked off and tipped ball and returned it to the Tigers’ 49-yard line. A little over two minutes later, the Eagles cashed in to take the lead with 3:25 left to go. The 2-point try was stopped by the Tigers, resulting in a 26-22 lead for the Eagles.

The Tigers suffered an interception on their ensuing possession, but recovered a fumble with 1:22 to go. However, that drive stalled at the :48 second mark when the Eagles picked up a sack on a fourth down conversion attempt by the Tigers. The Eagles ran the clock out and handed the Tigers their first loss of the 2021 season, 26-22.

8-20-2021 — Calera, Ala. — Demopolis’ Craig Nichols plunges into the end zone for his third touchdown of the night during the Tigers’ 26-22 loss to the Eagles.

Nichols had a huge opening night, running for 2016 yards of 30 carries and collecting three touchdowns. Drew Seymore added on carry for seven yards. Kelvin Rowser picked up 10 yards on four carries and Lamarion Kelly added six yards on four carries.

Seymore completed 14 passes for 130 yards. Cam’ron Wright had seven catches for 48 yards. Demetrius Allen also added 48 yards on six catches. Kenon Rowser had two catches for 36 yards.

The Tigers (0-1) will host the McAdory Yellow Jackets next week at Tiger Stadium. McAdory defeated St. Paul’s Episcopal by a score of 21-7 on Friday night.