Tigers blank Sonoraville to open season

August 22, 2026

Charles Wilson / BartowSportsZone.com

Torron Hale scored on a 20-yard touchdown reception from Braxton Elrod on Friday night as the Tigers won at Sonoraville, 13-0. Photo: Randy Parker / The Daily Tribune News

The Adairsville Tigers opened the regular season in impressive fashion Friday night, shutting out the Sonoraville Phoenix 13-0 at The Furnace on the Sonoraville High School campus.

It was the regular-season opener for both teams. Adairsville entered the season after going 4-6 in 2025 and missing the state playoffs, while Sonoraville finished 5-6 last season and lost at Burke County in the first round of the state playoffs.

The Tigers got on the scoreboard with 6:10 remaining in the first quarter following a 10-play, 80-yard drive. Braxton Elrod capped the possession with a 20-yard touchdown pass to Torron Hale. Alex Ochoa's PAT attempt was blocked, leaving Adairsville with a 6-0 lead.

Adairsville extended its advantage with 4:06 remaining in the second quarter after Jake Barszcz delivered a strip sack and recovered the fumble at the Sonoraville 11-yard line.

Two plays later, Ezekiel Carter scored on a 2-yard touchdown run. Ochoa converted the PAT, giving the Tigers a 13-0 lead.

The Adairsville defense kept the Phoenix off the scoreboard the rest of the way and maintained the shutout.“We’re glad to come out with the victory,” said Adairsville head coach Jon Cudd on Saturday morning. “We felt like the defense played well as a unit. Our linebackers really made a lot of plays, especially Gatlin Fair and Jake Barszcz. We forced a couple of turnovers that were really key.” 

Barszcz finished with nine tackles, two sacks and two forced fumbles, while Fair recorded 12 tackles and three sacks for the Tigers.

“On offense, Torron Hale had a nice touchdown catch, and I thought Zeke Carter, Braxton Elrod, and Jayvian Carson all ran the ball hard,” Cudd continued. “We definitely have some areas to improve, and we feel like we can play better. We’ll get back to work and get ready for a good-looking Woodland team on the road again on Friday.”

Adairsville improved to 1-0 with the victory and will travel to Woodland on Friday for a 7:30 p.m. kickoff.

Sonoraville dropped to 0-1 and will play at Northwest Whitfield on Sept. 4.

-- Larry Gardner contributed to this report.