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Tigers score late to avert shutout in Alex City

Michael Clements , , , , , , , , ,

The Demopolis Tigers had trouble getting into the end zone against the Benjamin Russell Wildcats in Alexander City on Friday night. The Tigers finally found the end zone with a little over two minutes to go in the game. The late score averted a shutout, as the Tigers fell 17-8.

9-21-2019 — Alexander City, Ala. — Demopolis’ Detron Essex (7) forces a fumble, As Brody Osburn closes in, during the Tigers’ game against the Benjamin Russell Wildcats.

In a scoreless first half, the Tigers did manage a couple highlights before the first half came to an end. The first of those two was Jay Jones’ interception of a Wildcat pass, when the ‘Cats were threatening to score near the end of the first quarter. The second was Avake Jones’ pass break up on a fourth down attempt by the Wildcats with 2:00 to go in the first half.

After swapping punts to start the third quarter, the host Wildcats put together a clock consuming drive that ended at the 3:24 mark with a field goal. The 24-yard kick gave the Wildcats a 3-0 lead over the Tigers.

9-21-2019 — Alexander City, Ala. — Demopolis’ Timothy Grayson outruns a defender during the Tigers’ game against the Benjamin Russell Wildcats.

The Tigers lost a fumble on the first play of their ensuing possession, at the 3:10 mark. The Wildcats capitalized with a 25-yard touchdown run. The successful PAT gave the Wildcats a 10-0 lead with 1:52 to go in the third quarter.

Trailing by 10 and with time winding down in the fourth quarter, the Tigers took a chance on fourth down and had a pass sail just out of reach, giving the Wildcats the ball at the Tiger 26-yard line. The Wildcats then scored their second touchdown of the game on a 1-yard quarterback sneak with 2:55 on the game clock. The PAT stretched the Wildcats’ lead to 17-0.

After a good return on the ensuing kickoff, the Tigers picked up the pace and Craig Nichols got into the end zone on a 3-yard run with 2:10 to play. Peyton Stevenson hit Timothy Grayson for the 2-point conversion and the Tigers closed the gap to 17-8.

9-21-2019 — Alexander City, Ala. — Demopolis’ Craig Nichols crosses the goal line during the Tigers’ game against the Benjamin Russell Wildcats.

An onside kick attempt was covered by the Wildcats, who were able to run out the clock for the 17-8 win.

“The offense has to take care of the football. We’ve got to be able to execute. We’ve got to do a better job, from the coaches to our players. We just lost our focus and that’s my responsibility and is something we will address in the coming weeks,” head coach Brian Seymore said after the game.

“We play teams like this (higher classification) to see where we are. To be honest, I thought we were a better football team, but you have to give them (Benjamin Russell) credit where credit is due. But, we have to play physical and play together as a team.” The Wildcats are the third higher classification team that the Tigers have played in the first half of the season. The Tigers are 2-1 against those higher classification teams.

9-21-2019 — Alexander City, Ala. — Demopolis’ Matthew Witherspoon (15) and Gray Sharpe (22) take down a Wildcat runner during the Tigers’ game against Benjamin Russell.

The Tigers (3-2 overall, 1-1 region) will get next week off to get some extra work in and heal up some injuries. Their next game will be Oct. 4, when they travel to Columbiana for a region matchup with Shelby County High School. That game will start a stretch of four region games, all of which will be important to the Tigers’ posts-season hopes.