Red Bay defense held Colbert Height to no yards rushing in the 2015 season opener.

By Bart Moss for the FCT

The Red Bay Tigers scored three times in the last 13 minutes to run away from the Colbert Heights Wildcats in their 2015 season opener. The Tigers used a strong running game, strong rush defense and an opportunistic defense to get the 25-13 win.

Red Bay piled up 298 yards of rushing offense while holding the Wildcats to no yards on the ground.  Red Bay also turned two Colbert Heights turnovers into touchdowns.

“Our defense did a great job running the ball,” said Red Bay coach Michael Jackson. “Our defensive line is a major strength of our team. We were able to take advantage of their mistakes, and our defensive unit played so well they had to take some chances, which resulted in some turnovers.”

Red Bay got on the board first after the Tigers recovered a Colbert Heights fumbled punt at the three yard line. Quarterback Troy Borden ran the ball into the endzone on the first play from three yards out with 6:38 to go in the first quarter. Abdul Muzayad added the PAT to make the score 7-0.

The second quarter was marked by turnovers by both teams. Nick Thorn stopped a Colbert Heights drive with an interception on the Red Bay 39-yard line, but the Tigers drive ended in a fumble. The Tigers would also throw an interception before the first half closed with Red Bay leading 7-0.

The second half started the same way as the first half – with a stalled drive and a turnover that led to a touchdown. This time, however, it was Colbert Heights who would benefit. After recovering the Tigers fumbled punt on the 26-yard line, the Wildcats scored on a 15-yard pass to tie the game 7-7 with 7:31 to go in the third quarter.

Red Bay drove the ball deep into Wildcat territory once again. And, once again, the Tigers turned the ball back over to Colbert Heights. Later in the quarter, as the offense seemed to be sleepwalking, Borden broke through the line of scrimmage, sidestepped a would-be tackler and powered his way to a 15-yard gain. Borden broke another big run before scoring his second touchdown of the game on a 1-yard quarterback sneak, making the score 13-7 with 0:46 to go in the third quarter.

Colby Knoblock recovered a Colbert Heights fumble on their first play of the ensuing drive at the Wildcat 22-yard line. The Tigers capitalized when Tate Ozbirn scored on a five-yard run with 11:03 to go in the game to make the score 19-7.

Red Bay took advantage of another Colbert Heights turnover when Kaleb Burroughs intercepted a Wildcat pass and returned it to the 30-yard line. A 15-yard penalty on Colbert Heights moved the ball to the 15-yard line. Two plays later, Borden scored his third touchdown of the night on a 5-yard run, giving Red Bay a 25-7 lead.

Colbert Heights added one more score late in the game on a 15-yard touchdown pass.

“On the positive side, I think our defense gave a strong showing,” said Jackson. “Stopping the run will lead to good defense. We also controlled the game when we needed to. We need to work on our execution and continue to get more players on the field for better depth.”

Ozbirn led Red Bay with 198 yards rushing on 30 carries and one touchdown.

Red Bay will travel to Haleyville Friday night.