Tigers Fall To Wildcats In Playoff Opener
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by Dwight Turner A strong Guntersville defense and offensive team speed spelled disaster for the Ardmore Tigers last Friday night in the opening round of the Class 4A State Playoffs. Capitalizing on several big plays, Guntersville rolled to a 35-0 win and advanced to the second playoff round. Friday night’s loss ended a successful season for Ardmore that saw the Tigers compile an 8-2 regular season mark and go 8-3 overall. |
Ardmore quarterback Elijah Barnes (14) looks for yardage behind the blocking of teammates from left, Jake Stagner (88), Jared Robison (55,) Randy Toone (68) and Kyle Smith (56) Friday night, November 10, at Guntersville in the first round of the Alabama Class 4A state play-offs. (photo by Bobby Malone) |
Ardmore took the opening kickoff and moved the ball well behind the stellar running of Derrick Green and Landon Curtis. However, the drive stalled when quarterback Elijah Barnes was sacked at the Wildcat 43 yard-line.
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Guntersville received the ensuing punt and set up shop from its own 12. Six plays later the Wildcats scored on a 44-yard run and led 7-0 with 3:47 remaining in the opening quarter. Guntersville scored again, this time on a 45-yard touchdown run midway through the second quarter and took a 14-0 lead. On their next possession, the Wildcat running game again cashed in, this time on a 37-yard touchdown scamper. Guntersville led 21-0 with just over four minutes left in the first half. Ardmore showed life on its next possession. Barnes reeled off a long gainer, but the play was called back due to a holding penalty. Later in the drive, Barnes took the snap on a fake punt and rambled 20 yards to give the Tigers a first down at their own 35. Another penalty and a sack, however, ended the Ardmore threat. |
Tiger defensive backs Bubba Lobberecht (21) and Duron Robinson (4) chase down a Wildcat running back preventing a touchdown Friday night, November 10, at Guntersville in the first round of the Alabama Class 4A state play-offs. (photo by Bobby Malone) |
Guntersville scored its fourth touchdown of the game with 6:45 left in the third quarter on a quarterback keeper from one yard out to take a 28-0 lead. The Wildcats added another touchdown in the final quarter to ice the game 35-0.
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Friday night’s game was the last time a stellar group of seniors suited up for the Tigers. Playing in their final contest for the Tigers were: Tavo Sanchez, Duron Robinson, Nick Wray, Will Lewis, Bubba Lobberecht, Jarrod Mullins, JJ Jones, Jared Robison, Kyle Smith, Luke Tunstill, Keith Rahm, Randy Toone, Jonathan Keenum, Corey Mullins, and Jake Stagner. The 2006 season was a great one for the Tigers, after the 2005 squad suffered through a 0-10 season. Ardmore’s success was due, in large part, to the tenacity, resiliency, and hard work of the players, as well as the talent and energy of Head Coach Tracy Malone and his coaching staff. Ardmore will be returning a host of quality players next season and Tiger fans have much to look forward to. |
Ardmore defensive backs Jarrod Mullins (22) and Duron Robinson (4) knock a Wildcat runner out of bounds in action Friday night, November 10, at Guntersville in the first round of the Alabama Class 4A state play-offs. (photo by Bobby Malone) |
