News Sports Opinion Photos Social Classified Obits Contact
 
 
 

Tigers win home opener get even in region

By Michael Butler

Tallassee's home opener was a good old-fashioned low scoring affair. The Tigers held Carroll of Ozark scoreless for three quarters and ran out the clock in the final minutes for a 10-6 win.

The victory put Tallassee at 2-2 overall and 1-1 in region play entering a two-week break.

Both defenses kept the end zones empty in the first half. The only points came on a Clay Johnson 24-yard field goal 4:33 remaining in the second quarter. Tallassee led 3-0 at the half.

It was a battle for field position for most of the night, a battle the Tigers won. The THS defense limited Carroll to just nine first downs and 143 total yards.

Midway through the third quarter, Tyler Ellis hit Truck Griffin on a 25-yard pass for the games first touchdown. Tallassee led 10-0.

Carroll's only score came on a 4th-and-20 bomb from Brandon Robinson to Austin Mitchell with 3:47 left in the game.

On the ensuing possession, the Tigers 'imposed its will' with 13 straight running plays until time expired.

Tallassee had 201 rushing yards. Marciano Smith, in his first action since a week-one injury, ran the ball 22 times for 142 yards. Ellis was 5-for-7 passing for 86 yards and a TD.

"Wow! Our kids just dug in," Tallassee head coach Mike Battles said. "The drive of the night was the last one. They had three timeouts. All they've got to have is a stop. Our offensive line got in there and blocked. Our backs ran hard and ran the time out.

"It's a big win. They're a physical football team. To go toe to toe with them for 48 minutes, we knew it was going to be a tight ball game. Last year it was three points. This year, it's four. Our defense had no room for error. They played excellent. I thought our kids played with a lot of heart and intensity. I'm proud of them. We need a break. Everybody needs a break. I need a break. We'll practice three days a week for the next two weeks and heal some of these bruises we got."

Tallassee's next game will be on Oct. 4 at Valley.