Red Bay beats Hatton
J.R. Tidwell/FCT Running back Austin Childers (22) of Red Bay runs toward the outside while fullback Matt Belue (5) leads the way. Red Bay picked up its first win of the season against Hatton.
RED BAY —The Red Bay Tigers ended their two-game losing skid with a 41-12 victory over the Hatton Hornets Friday night at Fred Bostick Field.
The Tigers lost to Central-Florence and Tanner in weeks one and two before pulling out a convincing win over the Hornets.
It feels good to get the monkey off our backs,” red Bay head coach John Ritter said. “We played quality opponents in the first two weeks, and that got us ready for tonight.
The Tigers scored on their second play from scrimmage just 48 seconds into the game on a 64-yard touchdown run by Stephen Wood.
A fumble recovery by Michael Ramirez set up a 1-yard touchdown run by matt Belue, capping a 10-play, 52-yard drive.
Austin Childers added to Red Bay’s lead in the second quarter with a 4-yard carry for a touchdown.
The Tigers had a 20-0 lead late in the second quarter before Hatton finally broke onto the scoreboard.
The Hornets had a 37-yard touchdown pass and catch with just 24 seconds left in the first half.
Hatton then attempted an onside kick, which Red Bay recovered. The Tigers used the short field to their advantage and scored just 18 seconds later on a 52-yard bomb from Justin Payne to Ramirez.
The Tigers’ offense continued to roll after halftime, as Payne again completed a pass for a touchdown to Ramirez, this time from 38 yard out.
Levi Humphres helped protect Red Bay’s 34-6 lead with an interception with 4:23 remaining in the third, stopping what appeared to be a promising drive for Hatton.
The Hornets got their second and final score on a 1-yard touchdown run on the goal line with just over six minutes remaining in the game.
The Tigers put the final points of the game on the board with 2:52 remaining on a 19-yard touchdown scamper by Wood.
“We changed some stuff up this week,” Ritter said. We played out of the shotgun more, and Justin Payne threw the ball well for us. Our backs and our offensive line did well for us tonight too.”
Red Bay (1-2) will host Phil Campbell next Friday.
