Tigers Fall to Smith County Owls
The Macon County Tigers opened the 2018 season with a trip to the hole in Smith County this past Friday night. After a hard fought game the Owls came out on top with a 28-14 win.
The Owls returned the opening kick-off 60 yards to set up their first score. After the Tigers were forced to punt on their first possession, the Owls scored on a 76 yard run to lead 14-0 early in the 2nd quarter. With the Macon offense sputtering the Owls would add another score to lead 20-0. The Tigers would get the ball down to have a first and goal from the 5 with under a minute to go in the first half, but were unable to punch it in. Half ends with Smith County leading 20-0.
Both teams settled in for a defensive battle in the 3rd quarter. With 10:08 left in the 4th Jon Mark Gammons scored on a sneak and Ryan Underwood added the PAT to make it 20-7. Trying to hold off the Tigers, Smith County would score on another big play in a 60 yard TD run. They added the two point conversion and led 28-7. The Tigers still fought hard and Noah Likens scored with 0:07 left in the game. Underwood added the PAT and the final score was Smith Co 28 Macon 14.
For the game Jon Mark Gammons was 11 of 18 passing for 181 yds and ran 8 times for 1 yard. Likens rushed 11 times for 0 yds and a TD while Isaac Belton ran 8 times for 46 yds. Ethan Jenkins ran 6 times for 20 yds, Cameron Houston ran 4 times for 31 yds, and Jessie Holland ran 1 time for 2 yds. Likens had 79 yds on 3 receptions, Landon Whittemore had 69 yds on 3 rec, Belton had 6 yds on 3 rec, and Chris Oliver had one catch for 22 yds. Belton(7) led all tacklers followed by Rodney Tuck (4), and Levi Borders (4).
The Tigers led the game in first downs, total offensive plays, total yards gained, and time of possession. However four or five big plays made the difference in the game and Smith County simply made those plays.
This week the Tigers will have their home opener against the Westmoreland Eagles. Kick-off is scheduled at Pat Parker Memorial Field for 7 pm.
