Tigers' out claw Bobcats

(Sunday, Sept 26 - 9:00 PM)

The Straughn Tigers had lived through an off season of remembrance.  Although considered the turning point for the Tigers, last season's 7-20 loss to Opp headed the Tigers on a winning streak that continued through the third round of the AHSAA playoffs.  The Straughn players however remember the past year leading up to the Opp contest - that was then and this is now. 

Straughn jumped out early after Josh Dewrell scored twice to push the Tigers up 14-0 with 4:15 remaining in the first, but the Bobcats' workhorse scored in less than two minutes to cut the Tigers' lead 14-6.

The feeling was cut short for Bobcat fans as Dewrell scored twice more in the next 7 minutes to push their advantage to 28-6.  Although Dewrell was taking the ball over the line, Colten Lewis, Chris Huggins and Chase Short were wearing down the Bobcats defense.  Short would score before halftime to give the Tigers a 35-12 advantage adding to an Opp Richard Davis TD. 

The game seemed well in hand as the crowd settled in at half for entertainment performances by the Tigers and Bobcats High School Bands.  The Straughn Tigers could have relaxed, but caught the Bobcats to start the second half and recovered an onside kick. 

The Bobcats themselves could have folded as Dewrell was leading his team to a seemingly 30-point lead, but a Dewrell fumble and a Quadir Kincaid touchdown preceded a Drew Smith interception and another Kincaid touchdown as the Bobcats cut the lead to 10 points with 1:35 left in the third quarter. 

 

	Q1	Q2	Q3	Q4	Final
Opp	6	6	13	0	25
Straughn	21	114	0	7	42

"I'm really proud of this team - we never gave up," said Opp's head coach Jack Whigham.  The Bobcats put fear in the hearts of Straughn fans as Davis and Kincaid had a strong third quarter of running the ball for Opp. 

"Davis is a great runner, but Kincaid really caused us some problems," said Taylor of Kincaid's two third-quarter touchdowns.  Opp seemed in control after Kincaid's second touchdown of the third, but the Tigers regained composure following the outburst and their defense shutdown the Bobcats.  Kincaid finished with 116 yards on 13 carries.   

Chase Short scored his second touchdown of the evening in the fourth quarter to complete all scoring as the Tigers moved to 5-0 for the season and continue their dominance over the Opp Bobcats (3-2; 2-1).  Short averaged 9.8 yards a carry on 20 carries (196 yards).