Tigers rally late, but fall to Generals and miss playoffs

November 1, 2025

Charles Wilson / BartowSportsZone.com

Adairsville quarterback Braxton Elrod, left, hands the ball to running back Jake Barszcz in the Tigers' home game against Heritage Oct. 31. RANDY PARKER / DTN

Brayden Slaughter ran for three touchdowns and the Heritage defense forced three turnovers as the Generals survived a late Adairsville rally to claim a 31-17 victory Friday night, ending the Tigers’ playoff hopes for the first time since 2018.

The game opened with pick-six fireworks from the Tigers. Adairsville’s Colton Sanford intercepted Heritage quarterback Caden Hight on the Generals’ sixth play from scrimmage, returning it 65 yards for a touchdown. Cooper Souders added the first of his two PATs and the Tigers held a 7-0 lead less than two minutes in.

Heritage answered on its third series. The Generals marched 49 yards on seven plays when Slaughter took a handoff off left tackle, found daylight, and raced 16 yards untouched to the end zone. Jake Collett’s extra point knotted it at 7-7 with 3:42 left in the first.

Adairsville head coach Jon Cudd signals to his team in the Tigers' home game against Heritage Oct. 31.  RANDY PARKER / DTN

The Generals seized momentum in the second quarter. Starting at their own 14, Heritage marched 86 yards in 12 plays, capped by Slaughter’s 9-yard scamper for a 14-7 lead.  The methodical drive chewed up 7:07 on the game clock.

Adairsville responded immediately going 80 yards in seven plays. Sanford gashed the defense for a long run to the Heritage 35, setting up Braxton Elrod's 3-yard plunge to tie it.

Heritage reclaimed the lead before halftime. 

Hight hit Brayden Stoker on a seam route for a 50-yard gain to the Adairsville 8. Soon after, Collett drilled a 26-yard field goal to make it 17-14 with less than a minute remaining in the half.

Adairsville marched back down the field before the intermission, but had a pass intercepted in the end zone to leave the Generals up by three points at halftime.

The third quarter belonged to Slaughter. Heritage drove 69 yards in 10 plays to add to their lead. Slaughter finished the drive with a 32 yard touchdown scamper giving the Generals a 24-17 edge.

Adairsville threatened late in the third when Braxton Elrod connected with Barrett Fuller for a big gain to the Heritage 36, but Elrod had the ball stripped at the three to halt the Tigers.

Adairsville quarterback Braxton Elrod prepares to throw downfield to an open receiver. RANDY PARKER / DTN

Trailing by 10 entering the fourth, the Tigers clawed back. Elrod again found Fuller, this time to the Heritage 15. The drive stalled, but Cooper Souders split the uprights from 24 yards to cut it to 24-17 with 5:31 remaining.

An onside kick failed when Eli Thacker recovered at the Heritage 42. The Generals later tried to add a field goal that was blocked, allowing the Tigers another opportunity.

Elrod’s subsequent pass to the sideline was picked by Brody James and returned to the Tigers' 5 yard line. On the next snap, Slaughter powered in for a touchdown to ice it.

Heritage-Catoosa improved to 7-3 on the season and finished 4-2 in Region 7-AAA, qualifying for the state playoffs, which begin on November 14.

Adairsville finishes 4-6 (2-4 region) and out of the 2025 playoffs. The Tigers are expected to return significant production from a youthful roster next fall.

~~ Larry Gardner contributed to this report.

Photos below by Randy Parker / The Daily Tribune News: (Left) Braxton Elrod dives into the end zone for a touchdown. (Right) Two Adairsville defenders take down a Heritage receiver after a catch.