Tigers pull away in battle of unbeatens
By Staff
Jason Houston FCT Managing Editor
RED BAY - The call was for a punt block, but instead, it turned into a punt return for a touchdown, which was fine with Tiger fans.
Kurt Kennedy's 64-yard punt return for a score late in the second quarter blew open a close game and spurred the Tigers on to a 28-12 win over region rival Hatton in front of a packed house at Fred Bostick Jr. Memorial Stadium Friday night. The win moved the Tigers to within one win of a Region championship.
Said Red Bay coach Dale Jeffreys, with a touch of sarcasm, "That was a good call - that punt block/run for a touchdown. We had the block on, but Kurt can make things happen."
Hatton, who entered the game undefeated, showed their game plan early, with four straight runs by Ross Parker, who came into the game averaging around 200 yards rushing per game. The Red Bay defense limited him to just 71 for the game.
Parker got Hatton on the board first with a seven-yard touchdown run late in the first quarter to cap an 82-yard drive. The PAT was missed. Red Bay answered with a drive to the Hatton one-yard line, but a fumble killed the drive.
The Tigers (7-0, 5-0 Class 2A, Region 8) then forced a three-and-out and drove 41 yards in seven plays to take a 7-6 lead on a 10-yard touchdown run by Kennedy.
On the ensuing Hatton possession, the Tigers forced a punt and Kennedy took it all the way for the score. Red Bay took a 14-6 lead to the locker room.
The Tigers forced another three-and-out to begin the third quarter, and the offense drove 60 yards for a score, with Brandon Colburn scoring from two yards out to give Red Bay a 21-6 lead.
Early in the fourth quarter, Hatton took advantage of a short Red Bay punt and drove 35 yards in six plays for a touchdown, with Parker taking it in from two yards out to pull the Hornets to 21-12.
Hatton got the ball back after forcing a Red Bay punt, but Randy Lowery intercepted a Hornet pass to give the Tigers the ball at the Hatton 36-yard line. Three plays later, Byron Hellums scored from 16 yards out to provide the final margin.
