Missed opportunities, turnovers prove costly in Tigers' loss at Northwest Whitfield

October 3, 2026

Charles Wilson / BartowSportsZone.com

Adairsville’s offense missed some red zone opportunities Friday night at Bruins Stadium and committed late, costly turnovers in a 28-14 loss to Northwest Whitfield.

The loss dropped Adairsville to 4-2 overall and 0-1 in Region play, while Northwest Whitfield improved to 5-1 overall and 1-0 in the region.

After both teams traded long drives that ended in punts to open the game, Northwest capitalized on an Adairsville turnover on the Tigers’ second offensive possession.

Max Harrison intercepted Braxton Elrod’s pass and returned it 29 yards to the Adairsville 21-yard line. One play later, Zavien Villafuerte scored on a 21-yard touchdown run, and Gibram Rodriguez added the extra point to give the Bruins a 7-0 lead with 1:26 remaining in the first quarter.

Adairsville answered with a 13-play, 59-yard drive that carried into the second quarter. Elrod finished the drive with a 1-yard touchdown run, and Alex Ochoa’s extra point tied the game at 7-7 with 6:19 remaining in the half.

Northwest responded with a five-play, 56-yard drive, with Villafuerte scoring on a 5-yard run. Rodriguez’s PAT put the Bruins back in front 14-7 with 3:20 left in the half.

The Tigers then drove 56 yards on nine plays, but the possession stalled in goal-to-go territory.

Ochoa’s 30-yard field-goal attempt with 25 seconds remaining in the half was blocked, leaving Northwest with a 14-7 halftime lead.

Northwest opened the second half with a three-and-out, and Adairsville quickly capitalized.

The Tigers drove 43 yards in three plays, with two big unsportsmanlike-conduct penalties assisting the drive. Elrod scored on a 2-yard touchdown run, and the extra point tied the game at 14-14 with 7:49 remaining in the third quarter.

Northwest again went three-and-out, giving Adairsville another opportunity.

The Tigers put together a 12-play drive that consumed 6:12, but once again could not finish the possession in the red zone. Adairsville turned the ball over on downs at the Northwest 20-yard line.

The Bruins finally broke the tie early in the fourth quarter.

Northwest marched 80 yards on six plays, with Smith Browning connecting with Kyle Cummings on an 11-yard touchdown pass. The extra point, which was re-tried following a botched snap and an Adairsville penalty, made it 21-14 with 10:15 remaining.

Adairsville drove 42 yards on eight plays on its ensuing possession, but a fake punt featuring a double-reverse pass attempt by KJ Smith ended with an interception by Jayce Santiago. Santiago returned the pick to the Adairsville 29-yard line.

Northwest needed only three plays to capitalize, with Browning again finding Cummings for a touchdown on a 15-yard pass. Rodriguez’s PAT extended the Bruins’ lead to 28-14 with 6:03 remaining.

Adairsville then had back-to-back offensive turnovers, including a bad snap that went over Elrod’s head and an interception.

Northwest ran out the clock to secure the 28-14 victory.

Adairsville will travel to Heritage-Catoosa next week, while Northwest Whitfield will play at Southeast Whitfield.

~~ Larry Gardner contributed to this report.