High School Sports, Red Bay Tigers, Sports
 By  Josh Prewitt Published 
11:01 am Wednesday, September 7, 2016

Red Bay wins region opener 30-8

Senior running back Tate Ozbirn was the story of the game once again for Red Bay with yet another outstanding performance, rushing for 201 yards and three touchdowns on the game and proving to be the difference for the Tigers after a close game in the first quarter.

“I am proud that our players corrected some mistakes we made early in the game and played an excellent second half,” Coach Michael Jackson said.

After an early score from sophomore quarterback Kolby Bragwell on a one-yard touchdown run to put Red Bay on the board first, Mars Hill Bible would answer back late in the first quarter by scoring on a one-yard touchdown run of their own from Colton Smith and would add on a two-point conversion by Nasser James to take the lead 8-7 going into the second quarter.

Ozbirn, who’s totaled 527 yards and nine touchdowns in the Tigers’ 3-0 start on the year, scored a touchdown in each of the next three quarters to help lift them to their 21st consecutive regular season win, beating the Panthers 30-8 to get their first region win and stay undefeated.

Tigers defense held the Panthers to 134 total yards (77 on the ground) for the whole game.

The Tigers’ rushing attack was their biggest strength coming into this year.

“We were able to run the football for over 340 yards and control the game. Our defense adjusted well to the wing T offense from Mars Hill and held them to two yards a carry.I thought both teams played hard, and we must continue to improve,” Jackson said. “Building depth will be a factor in upcoming games.”

Red Bay (3-0) (1-0) will travel to Hatton next Friday for a 2A Region 8 game against the Hornets.

Senior running back Tate Ozbirn was the story of the game once again for Red Bay with yet another outstanding performance, rushing for 201 yards and three touchdowns on the game and proving to be the difference for the Tigers after a close game in the first quarter.

“I am proud that our players corrected some mistakes we made early in the game and played an excellent second half,” Coach Michael Jackson said.

After an early score from sophomore quarterback Kolby Bragwell on a one-yard touchdown run to put Red Bay on the board first, Mars Hill Bible would answer back late in the first quarter by scoring on a one-yard touchdown run of their own from Colton Smith and would add on a two-point conversion by Nasser James to take the lead 8-7 going into the second quarter.

Ozbirn, who’s totaled 527 yards and nine touchdowns in the Tigers’ 3-0 start on the year, scored a touchdown in each of the next three quarters to help lift them to their 21st consecutive regular season win, beating the Panthers 30-8 to get their first region win and stay undefeated.

Tigers defense held the Panthers to 134 total yards (77 on the ground) for the whole game.

 The Tigers’ rushing attack was their biggest strength coming into this year.

“We were able to run the football for over 340 yards and control the game. Our defense adjusted well to the wing T offense from Mars Hill and held them to two yards a carry.I thought both teams played hard, and we must continue to improve,” Jackson said. “Building depth will be a factor in upcoming games.”

Red Bay (3-0) (1-0) will travel to Hatton next Friday for a 2A Region 8 game against the Hornets.

Also on Franklin County Times
Dog owner goes to trial for manslaughter
Main, News, Russellville
Kevin Taylor For the FCT 
November 5, 2025
RUSSELLVILLE — The trial of a Red Bay woman who was charged with two counts of manslaughter after her dogs allegedly attacked and killed two people in...
Police chief’s brother retires
Main, News, Russellville
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
November 5, 2025
RUSSELLVILLE — Brothers Chris and Joe Hargett worked side by side in law enforcement for more than two decades. Now, as Captain Joe Hargett retires fr...
City leaders sworn in for a new term
Main, News, Russellville, ...
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
November 5, 2025
RUSSELLVILLE — City leaders and community members gathered Sunday at city hall for the swearing-in ceremony for the new city council members, whose te...
Safeplace walk renews focus on domestic violence awareness
Main, News, Russellville, ...
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
November 5, 2025
RUSSELLVILLE — SafePlace brought its Domestic Violence Awareness Walk back to Franklin County for the first time in nearly two decades. SafePlace Exec...
RHS showcases its pumpkin creativity
News, Records, Russellville
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
November 5, 2025
RUSSELLVILLE — Russellville High School’s second annual Pumpkin Palooza filled the old main building hallway with themed pumpkin displays created by e...
GFWC holds North District fall meeting
Columnists, Opinion
HERE AND NOW
November 5, 2025
DOUBLE SPRINGS — Fellowship, service and community spirit filled the air as members of GFWC Alabama’s North District met for its fall gathering at Loo...
Our moral documents are failing hungry families
Columnists, Opinion
November 5, 2025
Our country is about to do something unthinkable: let millions of people go hungry while spending billions elsewhere without hesitation. As of Nov. 1,...
State rankings | Red Bay rises, hits first poll since 2020
High School Sports, Red Bay Tigers, Sports
By A. Stacy Long For the FCT 
October 29, 2025
Red Bay has pulled into the state rankings for the first time in five years. The Tigers are 10th in the latest Alabama Sports Writers Association Clas...

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *