Tigers Spoil Wildcat Homecoming
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by Dwight Turner Ardmore High School’s Varsity Football Team made the trek west last Friday night to take on county rival West Limestone. The Wildcats were especially fired up for the game, considering it was the team’s Homecoming contest. Ardmore, it appears, was even more fired up. After early struggles getting the ball into the end zone, the Tigers exploded for 19 points in the final period and spoiled the Wildcats’ Homecoming by a score of 32-6. Junior tailback Derrick Green had another stellar outing, racking up 102 yards rushing in the final period and amassing 213 rushing yards on the night. |
Ardmore Linebacker Landon Curtis (#44) makes a crushing tackle on West Limestone’s number 27 near midfield helping to spoil the Wildcat Homecoming with Tigers from left, Jared Robison (#55), JJ Jones (#50) and Kyle Smith (#56) closing in on the play. (photo by Bobby Malone) |
The win improves the Tigers’ season record to 4-1.
Tiger Duron Robinson took the game’s opening kickoff and rambled all the way out to the Tiger 44 yard-line, where Ardmore began its first drive of the night. Green ran the ball on the first two plays from scrimmage, picking up a total of 14 yards. On the third play, quarterback Elijah Barnes hit Robinson with an 18-yard pass, giving Ardmore a first-and-ten at the Wildcat 25. Barnes hit Will Lewis on an eight-yard strike and, two plays later, again hooked up with Lewis on a 13-yard touchdown pass. Landon Curtis booted the extra point and Ardmore led 7-0 with 8:48 remaining in the first quarter.
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West Limestone drove the ball deep into Tiger territory on several occasions in the first half, but was unable to score. Meanwhile, the Tiger offense moved the ball as well, but several holding penalties nullified long Ardmore gains. Late in the first half, West Limestone drove all the way down to the Ardmore seven yard-line, but was unable to convert on a fourth down play, thus turning the ball over to the Tigers. Green carried the ball on six consecutive plays and rambled in from seven yards out to give Ardmore its second score of the evening. The point-after failed and the Tigers led 13-0 at halftime. Neither team was able to cross the goal line in the third quarter, but West Limestone got on the board on the first play of the final quarter when quarterback Wesley Hughes hit Jeremy White with an eight-yard touchdown strike. The point after was unsuccessful. |
West Limestone’s quarterback is pulled down by a shoestring for a loss by Tiger defensive back Bubba Lobberecht (#21). (photo by Bobby Malone) |
Ardmore led 13-6 when Green took the ensuing kickoff and, weaving and breaking tackles, rambled all the way down to the Wildcat 22. Four plays later fullback Landon Curtis barreled in from one yard out. After a botched point-after attempt, Ardmore led 19-6 with 9:36 remaining in the game.
Robinson picked off a Hughes pass on West Limestone’s next possession, giving the Tigers a first down at mid-field. On the first play from scrimmage, Green broke into the open and scored his second touchdown of the night. The point-after was good and the Tigers now led 26-10.
Ardmore scored its final touchdown of the night on its next possession when Green carried the ball in from seven yards out. The point after failed, but the Tigers held a comfortable 32-6 lead with 2:48 left on the clock.
That’s where matters stood when the final horn sounded.
The Tigers, although plagued by penalties, played generally solid football on both offense and defense. Robinson and Green both turned in long kick returns and, overall, special teams play was outstanding.
Ardmore hosts regional foe Madison County this Friday night at Cooper Field. Friday’s game is Homecoming for the Tigers. Kickoff is slated for 7 PM.