Tigers fall short at Smith County
The MCHS Tigers fall to the Smith County Owls last Friday night by a final score of 28-20. It was a good football game with two great high school teams.
The Owls scored first and led 7-0. However the Tigers came back on the next drive and Gabe Borders scored on a six yard rush to tie the game 7-7 with 6:50 left in the first quarter and Bryson Higgins converted extra point. The Owls struck again to take the lead 14-7 but on the ensuing kick-off Gabe Borders returned it 78 yards for a Macon score. The extra point was blocked and the first quarter ended with Smith leading 14-13.
The Owls would add two more scores in the second period while the Macon offense stagnated. At the half Smith led 28-13.
For all the offense in the first half, both defenses settled in for the second half. The Tigers opened the half with a successful onside kick. In that possession Gabe Borders scored his third touchdown on an 18 yard run. Higgins made the extra point after the Tigers committed a five yard penalty going for two. All the momentum seemed to be shifting to the Tigers side of the field.
However, give the Owls credit. Macon would get the ball inside the Owl 25 yard line twice in the final period and was unable to come away with any points. Final score Smith County 28 Macon 20 in a great high school football game.
For the game Gabe Borders ran 14 times for 41 yards and two touchdowns, was 1 of 2 passing for eight yards and one interception, and had four receptions for 59 yards. Kyle Shockley was 7 of 19 passing for 110 yards and three interceptions and ran nine times for 32 yards. Punter Brody Frye had one completion for 32 yards.
Hayden Wix had two receptions for 56 yards and Zach Borders had one catch for eight yards. Shockley caught Frye’s pass for 32 yards.
Gabe Borders also led the way with nine tackles, Mason Swindle had eight, Braylon Flowers had seven, and Jo Jo Scott had five.
With the loss Macon will more than likely finish in third place in Region 4-4A. However if DeKalb could somehow beat probable Region champion Stone Memorial in the final game of the season, there is a slim chance the Tigers could sneak into 2nd place.
Next week the Tigers will host Cumberland County for senior night and the final game of the season. The Jets, who are also a Region 4-4A opponent, have won one game this season over winless Livingston Academy 7-0. Kick-off for the game is scheduled for 7 pm.
(Photos by Julie Collins)
