Red Bay picks up 47-6 win

Red Bay senior Tyler Reach turns the corner to pick up a first down for the Tigers. Photo by Keith Ledbetter.

By Keith Ledbetter

For the FCT

With a 47-6 win over Marion County this past Friday night, the Red Bay Tigers will go into the AHSAA 2A state playoff games this week against Woodland with only one loss in the regular season.

“We’ve worked really hard to get here,” Tiger head coach Michael Jackson said.

“We’ve challenged them to get better each week.”

Jackson said the first quarter was a little rough because they had some blocking assignments that were missed and they struggled on a couple of series against Marion County.

The Tigers failed to convert on their first two series, but put together a seven-play, 80-yard scoring drive late in the first quarter that was capped by an eight-yard TD run by Tyler Reach.

A completed Borden pass to Reed Holt and a keeper run by the junior quarterback were also key to the Tigers’ only score of the first quarter.

A batted down Red Raiders’ pass by Red Bay’s Nick Thorn at the end of the first quarter helped slow down Marion County’s drive, but a recovered MC fumble by Red Bay’s Jade Pounds sent the Tigers in the other direction.

Eight plays later, junior Reed Holt took it in from the 19 yard line on a Borden pass.

Borden scored on a two-point conversion to extend Red Bay’s lead by two touchdowns.

Red Bay picked up their second turnover on a Dekota Hester interception with just under five minutes remaining in the first half.

On the Tigers’ next scoring drive, Holt added a 22-yard run, Reach picked up another 12, and Borden also had runs of 13 yards and six yards to carry them to the seven yard line.

Reach completed the distance on the next play for the score. Hester’s point after kick gave the Tigers a 21-0 first half lead.

The Tigers totaled over 200 yards of offense in the first half, with Red Bay’s work horse Tyler Reach picking up over 100 of those yards on 12 carries.

Holt added a 24-yard TD run in the top of the third. Reach also scored in the third quarter with a 61-yard run to take Red Bay into the final quarter with a 34-0 lead.

Marion County scored their only TD of the night after an interception.

Reach went over 260 yards rushing with a 54-yard TD run for the Tigers early in the fourth quarter to extend Red Bay’s lead to 40-6 with 8:40 remaining in the game.

Tiger quarterback Kolby Bragwell added Red Bay’s last TD of the night on a keeper play.

Hester picked up his second interception for Red Bay, Austin Milam had a fumble recovery, and Kaleb Burroughs also intercepted a pass for Red Bay in the second half.

Red Bay will host Woodland this Friday for the first round of the playoffs.

This is the third time Red Bay will face Woodland since 2004. They also played the Bobcats in 2011.

“Woodland has a great team, so we have to prepare really well,” Jackson added.

“It’s going to be a great night to come out and watch football at Red Bay High School.”