Tigers a step closer to the state playoffs with win over Gilmer

October 26, 2024

The Adairsville Tigers took a step closer to the 2024 Class 3A state playoffs Friday night with a 28-0 home win over the Gilmer Bobcats.

In the first season of the GHSA Post-Season Rankings for Class 3A, Gilmer entered Friday’s game as the No. 25 team in the classification. Adairsville started the night just outside the Top 32 teams at No. 33.

Following the Tigers’ win, Adairsville moved to No. 25, with Gilmer falling to No. 31.

Each of the eight region champions is guaranteed a spot in the 32-team state bracket, with the remaining slots filled by the highest-ranked teams. 

Adairsville opened the scoring with an 80-yard drive in the latter half of the first quarter. The Tigers took seven plays in their march and scored on a 59-yard touchdown pass from Ethan Long to Xavious Nalls. Cooper Souders added the first of his four PAT kicks to give the Tigers a 7-0 lead with 4:07 remaining in the quarter.

After trading possessions with the Bobcats, Adairsville added to their lead before the half with another lengthy drive. This time, the Tigers covered 83 yards in 18 plays. Long tossed a 2-yard touchdown pass to Barrett Fuller with 2.2 seconds left in the half to put Adairsville up 14-0 at halftime.

The Tigers took advantage of outstanding field position in the latter stages of the third quarter to add to their lead. Starting at the Gilmer 48-yard line, Adairsville took nine plays to build a three-score lead. Long connected with Tre Winters on a 27-yard scoring strike with 2:32 left in the third quarter and a 21-0 lead.

Adairsville sealed the win late in the fourth quarter on a pick-six by Winters. The interception of a pass by A.J. Callihan was returned 22 yards for a touchdown and a commanding 28-0 lead with 1:28 left in the game.

The loss dropped Gilmer to 4-5 overall and 2-3 in Region 7-AAA. The Bobcats host Ridgeland next Friday, Nov. 1.

Adairsville (6-3, 3-2) heads to Ringgold on Friday, Nov. 1, to take on the Heritage-Catoosa Generals (5-4, 3-2). Heritage lost 38-0 at Calhoun Friday night and is No. 26 in the GHSA Post-Season Rankings.

NOTE:  Larry Gardner contributed to this report.