Caleb Segrest and Jaden McKenzie celebrate at THS TD with Brodie Ellis looking on Photo by Kyle Thornton

Tigers lose second half lead in eighth loss

By Michael Butler

Tallassee head football coach Mike Battles summed up the 2023 football season with an elaboration of Friday night's 38-28 loss at Sylacauga.

"It doesn't seem like this year we've gotten any breaks."

The Tigers fell to 1-8 and 0-5 in Class 5A/Region 4 play.

A see-saw battle had Tallassee in front 28-24 after Trent Morris' 36-yard touchdown pass to Jaden McKenzie in the third quarter.

That advantage held up into the fourth quarter, but on a third down stop, a 15-yard roughing the passer penalty extended a Sylacauga drive. The Aggies scored on the next play to take a lead that they would not relinquish.

"It seemed like every time we did something positive tonight the flags came out," Battles said. "I'll have to look at it. We may have done it. It's amazing to get more in one night than we've gotten all season."

Tallassee was penalized eight times for 124 yards.

Christian McCary with one of his two touchdowns

Trent Morris led the Tigers with 101 yards on 13 carries and a touchdown. He was 12 of 15 for 117 yards passing with another TD. Christian McCary ran 10 times for 78 yards and two scores.

Sylacauga broke a 20-game losing streak with the win.

"I hate it for these seniors," Battles added. "We've got one more. Hopefully we can hold it together. It's just tough. They've had a good attitude (and) good practices. It's hard to explain."

The Tigers are off this week before the Senior Night finale versus Holtville at J. E. "Hot" O'Brien Stadium on Nov. 3.

*Photos by Kyle Thornton

GAME STATS

Tallassee vs. Sylacauga
10/20/23, 7:00 PM
Regular Season

SCORING SUMMARY:

1st Quarter
SYL: Jakarri Cottingham 3 yd Pass from CJ Franklin (CNV) 0-6
SYL: Ethan Pruitt (PAT) 0-7
TAL: Christian McCary 8 yd Rush (TD) 6-7
TAL: Alec Carswell (PAT) 7-7

2nd Quarter
TAL: Christian McCary 19 yd Rush (TD) 13-7
TAL: Alec Carswell (PAT) 14-7
SYL: Q Swain 46 yd Pass from CJ Franklin (CNV) 14-13
SYL: Ethan Pruitt (PAT) 14-14
TAL: Trent Morris 18 yd Rush (TD) 20-14
TAL: Alec Carswell (PAT) 21-14
SYL: Lionel Cheneau 16 yd Pass from CJ Franklin (CNV) 21-20
SYL: Ethan Pruitt (PAT) 21-21
SYL: Ethan Pruitt 24 yd (FG) 21-24

3rd Quarter
TAL: Jaden McKenzie 36 yd Pass from Trent Morris (CNV) 27-24
TAL: Alec Carswell (PAT) 28-24

4th Quarter
SYL: Rance Machen 48 yd Pass from CJ Franklin (CNV) 28-30
SYL: Ethan Pruitt (PAT) 28-31
SYL: Q Swain 29 yd Pass from CJ Franklin (CNV) 28-37
SYL: Ethan Pruitt (PAT) 28-38