Second half rally lifts Adairsville to 14-7 win at Bremen

Playing without 1,100-yard rusher Ethan Blome Friday night, Adairsville utilized a stingy defense and got two second half touchdown runs by Chris Roper for a 14-7 win at Bremen.

The Adairsville victory earns the Tigers a home playoff game when the Class 3A state playoffs begin November 11.

Bremen led 7-0 at halftime after posting the first half’s only points just shy of midway through the first quarter.

Jonah Hatchett hauled in a touchdown pass and Bobby Campbell booted the PAT kick for the Blue Devils.

Both defenses, along with turnovers and penalties, kept the score at 7-0 heading to the intermission.

In the second half, Adairsville turned to the rushing game to outpower Bremen with Roper carrying much of the load.

Roper, who eclipsed the 1,000-yard rushing mark for the season on the night, scored a pair of touchdowns and rushed for 212 yards on 27 carries.

The senior’s 11-yard touchdown run tied the score 7-7 with 1:07 left in the third quarter. Cooper Souders made the first of his two PAT kicks.

The Tigers took the lead late in the fourth quarter with the second rushing touchdown by Roper. His 4-yard run with 3:48 remaining turned out to be the margin of victory.

Bremen had a final possession, but the Adairsville defense forced a turnover on downs and was able to close out the clock.

Bremen slips to 4-5 overall and 3-3 in Region 6-AAA.

Adairsville (8-1, 6-0) hosts Coahulla Creek (7-2, 5-1) next Friday. A Tigers’ win would secure the 2022 region title and a No. 1-seed in the upcoming Class AAA state playoffs.