Tigers squeak past Rutherford

The Blountstown Tigers bounced back from their season opening loss to Waltonwith a hard fought 17-13 win over the Rutherford Rams Friday night at Bowles Field.  The Tigers and Rams both played well on defense limiting much offensive production from the other.
Both teams ran 49 plays with the Tigers garnering 201 total yards and Rutherford picking up 187.  The Tigers picked up 135 on the grounds and 66 yards passing.  The Rams had 113 yards rushing and 74 yards passing.  Both teams lost one fumble.
The one stat that was a huge difference in the game was a 90 yard punt return for a touchdown by senior Jordan Pride.  Pride was cleared to play limited snaps Friday night in his return from knee surgery.  On his first play in the game, Pride bobbled a punt around the Tiger 10, picked it up, weaved his way through defenders, found the sideline and raced the distance for the Tigers’ first score of the night.
The Tigers were led by Taye Dawson with 75 yards rushing on 16 carries and 1 TD of 16 yards.  Amarion Hover ran hard all night picking up 39 yards on 11 carries.  Jackson Mayo rushed for 20 yards on 4 carries and Tristan King added 10 yards on 6 attempts.
King completed 6 of 9 passes for 66 yards.  Aidan Richards had 2 receptions for 21 yards and Bryant Washington caught 2 passes for  19 yards.  Mayo and Dawson each had one reception.
Christian Martinez kicked a 27 yard field goal in the fourth quarter for the Tigers.
Defensively, the Tigers gave up a 15 yard touchdown pass in the second quarter and a 42 yard TD pass in the fourth quarter.  Amarion Hover led the Tiger defense with 14 tackles with one for a loss.  Jamarion Engram also added 14 tackles.  Gavin Lambeth had 11 tackles followed  by Bryheem Washington wth 9.  Ashton Mosley had 8 tackles with 1 sack and 1 tackle for a loss.  Cam Jones, Artavius Jones, Jackson Mayo and Brody Johnson were also in on multiple tackles.
The Tigers will return to Bowles Field for the third consecutive week  to host the Marianna Bulldogs.  The Bulldogs (2-0) opened their season with a win over Holmes County and defeated Liberty County last week, 46-0.