Bruins' fast start too much for Tigers

October 18, 2024

Tre Winters had a pair of touchdown receptions in the Tigers' loss at Northwest Whitfield.

The Adairsville Tigers fell behind early and were not able to recover Friday night, losing 38-14 to the Northwest Whitfield Bruins in Tunnel Hill.

After trading possessions for most of the first quarter, the Bruins went ahead 14-0 on back-to-back possessions late in the initial period.

Bruins' quarterback Gavin Nuckolls punched in a three-yard touchdown run to complete a four-play, 30-yard drive with 3:04 left in the first quarter. Northwest added a second score less than a minute later when Nuckolls connected with Will Wade for a 33-yard strike. PAT kicks by Jayden Garcia gave the Bruins a two-score lead with 2:17 remaining in the quarter.

The hosts added to their lead midway through the second quarter with a 26-yard field goal by Garcia. The successful kick gave the Bruins a 17-0 lead with 7:33 left before the intermission.

Adairsville charged back into the contest with back-to-back scoring possessions of their own.

Ethan Long connected with Tre Winters for both scoring plays. The first Adairsville touchdown was an 8-yard pass to cap a six-play, 76-yard drive with 4:52 left in the second quarter. The second score was a 30-yard connection to finish off a three-play, 44-yard drive with 3:49 remaining in the half. Cooper Souders booted both extra points, and the teams went to the locker room with the Bruins up, 17-14.

All of the scoring in the second half belonged to Northwest Whitfield.

The Bruins drove 61 yards in seven plays to take a 24-14 lead with 8:09 left in the third quarter. Caden Ramsey scored on a five-yard run.

The next Northwest possession ate up most of the remainder of the third period and finished on the first play of the fourth. The 15-play, 68-yard march culminated with a 7-yard keeper by Nuckolls just five seconds into the fourth quarter, giving the Bruins a 31-14 advantage.

The final scoring came on a miscue by the Tigers with just seconds remaining in the game.

A bad snap sailed over the head of Adairsville backup quarterback Braxton Elrod, and it was recovered by Caiden Crysel of Northwest with just 13.9 seconds remaining, making the final score 38-14.

Long was 14-for-31 passing for 149 yards and one touchdown. The Tigers quarterback was picked off once.

Winters finished with seven receptions for 87 yards and one score. He also completed one pass for 30 yards to Long. Xavious Nalls caught four passes for 46 yards.

Ethan Brown and Winters had 12 tackles each for the Tigers. Riley Worthington finished with ten tackles. Colton Sanford had nine.

Northwest Whitfield improved to 7-2 on the season and 3-2 in Region 7-AAA. The Bruins will finish the regular season next Friday at Ridgeland.

Adairsville slipped to 5-3 for the season and 2-2 in region play. The Tigers host Gilmer (4-4, 2-2) next Friday and will play at Heritage-Catoosa (5-3, 3-1) on November 1. 

~~ Larry Gardner contributed to this report.