Tigers Score Impressive
Road Win Over ELHS
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by Dwight Turner Ardmore High School’s Varsity Football Team, fresh off an opening-week win over Elkmont, took to the road last Friday night to see if its winning ways would continue. The Tigers and their followers were not disappointed. Led by a rock solid defensive effort, prolific offense, and stellar special teams play, Ardmore defeated the home standing East Lawrence Eagles by a score of 35-7. |
JJ Jones (#50) signals the successful end of a Tiger drive as Derrick Green, with ball, crosses the goal line, while Tigers from left, Jake Stagner, Jared Robison, Jones, Green, Clint Carroll, Jarrod Mullins and Kyle Smith assist on the play. (photo by Bobby Malone) |
Junior tailback Derrick Green again turned in an outstanding performance, racking up 160 yards rushing and scoring three touchdowns. Landon Curtis and Duron Robinson also scored six-pointers for the Tigers. Curtis was also a perfect five-for-five on extra-point attempts.
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Green took the opening kickoff and returned the ball all the way to the Eagle 39 yard-line. The Tigers moved deep into East Lawrence territory but a fumble ended the drive at the Eagle eight yard-line. Ardmore’s defense held the Eagles to only five yards on their first three plays from scrimmage and, after an East Lawrence punt, the Tigers’ offense went to work on the Eagle 43. On the fourth play of the drive, Ardmore quarterback Clay Wales hit wide out Duron Robinson for a 35-yard touchdown strike and, after Curtis booted the point-after, the Tigers led 7-0 with 4:23 left in the first quarter. East Lawrence moved the ball into Tiger territory on its next drive but Curtis turned in a jarring hit on an Eagle ball carrier, causing an eight-yard loss on the play and ending the East Lawrence drive. |
Duron Robinson is in the end zone for a Tiger touchdown early in Ardmore’s 35-7 defeat of the East Lawrence Eagles Friday night, September 8. (photo by Bobby Malone) |
The Tiger offense turned in an impressive 16-play, 69 yard drive on its next possession. The Tigers overcame several costly penalties and went up 14-0 when Green rambled into the end zone from 20 yards out and Curtis nailed the point-after.
On their next possession, the Tigers went 51 yards in seven plays. Green scored on a run up the middle from four yards out with just 56 seconds left in the first half. Ardmore took a 21-0 lead into the locker room at the half.
East Lawrence, again stymied by a stubborn Tiger defense, went three-and-out. Ardmore moved the ball well on its next possession but, again, costly penalties ended the drive. The Eagles fumbled on their next possession and Ardmore took over on the East Lawrence 42. The Tigers moved down to the Eagle 19 yard-line but eventually turned the ball over on downs.
Ardmore began its next possession on its own 44 and, on the first play of the fourth quarter, Curtis carried the ball up the middle through heavy traffic for 36 yards and another Tiger touchdown. Curtis kicked the extra-point as well and Ardmore led 28-0.
East Lawrence got on the scoreboard when wide out Ray Young hauled in a touchdown pass with 9:25 remaining in the game. The point-after was successful and the Tiger lead was cut to 28-7.
Green took the ensuing kickoff and rambled all the way down to the Eagle 31 yard-line. Five plays later Tavo Sanchez ran around end and sailed into the end zone for a touchdown. However, the play was nullified by a holding call against the Tigers. Two plays later, Green scored from seven yards out. Curtis booted his fifth extra-point of the game and the Tigers held a 35-7 lead. That’s where matters stood when the final gun sounded.
Green had a big night for the Tigers, rushing for 160 yards and three touchdowns. Curtis tallied 82 rushing yards and also scored. Sanchez chipped in another 50 yards for the Tigers.
Friday night’s victory gives the Tigers a 2-0 mark on the young season. Ardmore faces a big challenge this Friday night when regional powerhouse North Jackson comes calling at Cooper Field. Kickoff is slated for 7 PM.