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Indians snatch victory away in the end

By Michael Butler

Wetumpka extended its win streak vs. Tallassee to ten in the 69th meeting of the series - the Tigers' home opener at J. E. "Hot" O'Brien Stadium on Friday night. The finish in the Indians' 18-14 win might be the best of any in the 100-year anniversary of the start of the rivalry.

Quarterback Nathan Rogers connected with wide receiver Jamarion Thrasher on the game's final play for the winning touchdown. It came with 7.3 seconds on the clock and was a 4th and 20 dart from 40 yards out.

Thrasher hauls in the "Hail Mary" from Rogers breaking the Tigers' hearts. Photos by Kyle Thornton.

Tallassee led throughout the contest building a 14-0 lead at halftime. Jalyn Daniels got the scoring started on a 1-yard run capping an 80-yard drive in the final seconds of the first quarter. Daniels, fresh off of a 328-yard rushing performance at Reeltown, finished with 100 yards on 31 attempts and 44 yards receiving on three catches.

Luke Burdette recovered a Rogers' fumble in the endzone to give the Tigers a two-score lead before intermission.

Wetumpka responded in the third quarter with runs of 21 and 8 yards by the quarterback Rogers. The Indians missed the conversions though as Tallassee held the lead until the final seconds.

The Tigers had a chance to put the game away in the fourth quarter with a first and goal from the four-yard line. Daniels got to the one on first down. He was then stopped on three consecutive tries from the one. The goal-line stand gave the Indians the ball with 4:16 left in what would become a 99-yard game-winning drive.

Tallassee (1-1) is off this week before beginning region play on Sept. 10 at Sylacauga.

*View Photos by Kyle Thornton