Tigers finish region slate unblemished with a win at Coahulla Creek

Playing without starting quarterback Jonathan Gough Friday night, the Adairsville Tigers overcame three, first-half turnovers and relied almost entirely on their running game to win at Coahulla Creek, 28-21.

Following a scoreless opening period, the host Colts built a 14-0 lead in the second quarter on a pair of short touchdown runs by quarterback Chase Ward. The first score capped a nine-play, 55-yard drive with 4:00 left in the first half. The second touchdown came after an Adairsville fumble inside their own five-yard line with 1:11 before the intermission.

Noah Matthews returned the ensuing kickoff 75 yards for the Tigers to make the score 14-7 at halftime. Cooper Souders, who made two of three PAT attempts on the night, booted the extra point.

Coahulla Creek attempted an onside kickoff to begin the second half but the Tigers recovered at the Colts’ 47-yard line.

Adairsville then manufactured a seven-play, 53-yard scoring drive that was completed with a 5-yard scoring plunge by Tamarius Wilkey. The touchdown run knotted the score at 14-14 with 9:07 remaining in the third quarter.

The Tigers attempted and recovered an onside kickoff of their own with the ensuing kick. Starting at their own 49-yard line, Adairsville drove 51 yards in six plays to take their first lead with 8:01 to go in the third period. Ethan Blome had a key 20-yard run in the drive and Pullum finished it with a 1-yard Wildcat run. The PAT kick failed, however, leaving the Tigers with a 20-14 lead.

Coahulla Creek marched back down the field on their next possession. Danny Lidy had a long, 57-yard run that ultimately led to his 4-yard touchdown effort with 5:41 remaining in the third quarter. The Colts’ successful PAT kick gave the home team a 21-20 lead.

Adairsville answered right away, however, and took the lead for good with their next possession.

Jamarian Pullum sprinted for a 55-yard touchdown to cap a three-play, 60-yard scoring drive with 0:34 left in the quarter. He followed up with a two-point conversion run giving the Tigers a 28-21 lead.

Both teams traded possessions throughout the fourth quarter but the Tigers’ defense stopped the Colts’ final possession near midfield in the final minute and held on for a 28-21 victory.

Coupled with Ringgold’s 21-7 win over Gordon Lee, the Coahulla Creek loss eliminated the Colts (5-5, 4-3) from the playoffs.

Adairsville (8-2, 7-0) had already clinched the Region 6-AAA title going into the game. The Tigers will host a first-round playoff game next Friday night.