Tigers maul Red Raiders 49-6, advance to round 2 matchup in Andalusia

The Demopolis Tigers bounced back from their season finale loss and the B.C. Rain Red Raiders were the recipients of their angst. The Tigers starting group built a 28-0 halftime lead, then tacked on another 14 points in the third before giving way to a lot of clean jerseys on both sides of the ball in the fourth quarter. The clean jersey gang tacked on a touchdown of their own, but eventually surrendered the only Red Raider touchdown of the game, resulting in the final score of 49-6 in favor of the Tigers.

The Tigers won the opening coin toss, elected to receive and wasted little time drawing first blood. Craig Nichols got into the end zone on a 19-yard run with 10:13 to go in the opening quarter. Joseph Gantt’s PAT gave the Tigers a 7-0 lead.

After the Tiger defense forced the Red Raiders to turn the ball over on downs, Nichols’ and the Tigers’ second touchdown of the night came on a 2-yard run at the 5:33 mark of the first quarter. Gantt’s PAT increased the Tiger lead to 14-0.

After a Tiger fumble and a few possession swaps, the Tigers finally got back on the board with 4:12 to go in the second quarter, when Drew Seymore hit Cam’ron Wright across the middle and Wright outran everyone to the end zone for a 42-yard touchdown. Gantt tacked on his third PAT to give the Tigers a 21-0 lead.

Seymore and Wright teamed up for a second touchdown – this time, a 37-yarder – on the Tigers next possession. Gantt’s PAT increased the Tiger lead to 28-0, which would hold until halftime.

B.C. Rain’s opening possession of the second half ended when the Red Raiders were forced to punt from their own 11-yard line. Kevin McElroy returned the punt to the Red Raider 23. The first play of the second half for the Tigers was a 23-yard swing pass for a touchdown from Seymore to K.J. Rowser. Gantt’s PAT gave the Tigers a 35-0 lead with 10:10 to go in the third quarter.

After the Tiger defense forced the Red Raiders to punt on their ensuing possession, KJ Rowser added his second touchdown of the night on a 1-yard run at the 5:50 mark of the third quarter. Gantt’s PAT stretched the Tiger lead to 42-0.

With the 42 point lead to start the fourth quarter, clean Demopolis jerseys showed up on both sides of the ball. At the 5:21 mark of the fourth quarter, Keishawn Rowser rambled into the end zone with the final Tiger touchdown of the night, on a 13-yard run. Gantt remained perfect on the evening with his final PAT, giving the Tigers a 49-0 lead.

The Tiger defensive reserves eventually gave up a touchdown to the Red Raiders with only 2:10 remaining in the game. The 9-yard run and unsuccessful PAT rendered the final score of the Tigers’ first round playoff victory, 49-6.

The Tigers outgained the Red Raiders 511-190 in the total offense category. Nichols led the way with two touchdowns on 17 carries, totaling 128 yards. Keishawn Rowser followed with one touchdown and 62 yards on eight carries. Mason James had 13 yards on six carries. KJ Rowser had a one touchdown on two carries for a total of four yards rushing.

Seymore completed 24 of 25 passes for 304 yards and totaled three touchdowns. Wright led the way with tow touchdowns on eight catches, totaling 148 yards. KJ Rowser followed with one touchdown and 85 yards on seven catches. Harrison Carroll added five catches for 39 yards. Vincent Deas had two catches for 17 yards. Montgomery Freeman and Nichols had one catch each, with 13 and two yards, respectively. (Of note: Demopolis kicker Joseph Gantt was a perfect 7-for-7 on PATs for the game.)

The Tigers (7-4) will travel to Andalusia to take on the Bulldogs in the second round of the 2021 AHSAA Class 5A playoffs at 7:00PM on Friday night.