Tigers face tough test against top-ranked Savannah Christian

Last Friday, our beloved Tigers faced off against the top-ranked Savannah Christian Red Raiders, the number one team in the state in Single A Division I. True to their spirit, the Tigers didn’t back down, ready to meet the challenge head-on.

The Red Raiders received the opening kickoff and immediately took it all the way back for a touchdown, setting an early tone. However, the Tigers responded with a bang. On their very first play, they handed the ball to Jabios Smith, who took a sweep for an impressive 60+ yard touchdown, bringing the score to 7-6 after a missed extra point.

Despite this quick answer from the Tigers, the Red Raiders settled in and showcased why they’re at the top of the classification. Calm and collected, they scored three consecutive touchdowns in the first quarter, leaving the Tigers struggling to find momentum offensively.

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Even though the game was heavily controlled by Savannah Christian, the Tigers never gave up, battling through to the end. By halftime, the score stood at 48-6 in favor of the Red Raiders. Late in the fourth quarter, Marco Danford provided a bright moment with a sensational run up the middle for a touchdown, finishing the game at 48-12.

The Tigers and coaching staff recognized that while this game was challenging, it provided valuable experience with playoffs around the corner. A key factor in this matchup was Savannah Christian’s status as a private school. Under the new GHSA playoff system, public and private schools in this classification won’t face each other in the state playoffs. Since our region is nearly evenly split between public and private schools, the Tigers have encountered teams that other playoff contenders may not have faced all season.

Next week, the Tigers have a bye before heading to Lyons to take on the Toombs County Bulldogs. In our next article, we plan to sit down with Coach Roberts and a few Tiger players to discuss the season, power rankings, and the upcoming playoff run.

Tiger Nation, let’s continue to support these young men and their coaches. Go Tigers!