Tigers Down Hornets

By Clint Cox

The Graceville Tigers snagged the bragging rights for the western portion of Jackson County last Friday night with a 32-18 win over rival Cottondale. Graceville jumped out to an early lead and while Cottondale battled to stay close, the Tigers kept the Hornets at bay through out the contest. Cottondale had a tough time stopping the two workhorses for Graceville. Treyshaun White rushed for 102 yards and four touchdowns. Leron Hoover bulled his way for 157 yards and one score.

White gave Graceville the early lead with a 3 yard run that capped a long drive on the Tigers opening possession. After a Hornet punt the Tigers mounted another long drive on the ground. On the first play of the second quarter White bolted 11 yards for the Tiger score. Trailing 12-0 the Hornets got a good run back on the kickoff and then saw Nick Jackson scamper 30 yards to the Tigers 15 yard line. That drive stalled however as a fourth down pass to the end zone fell incomplete. But the Hornets mounted a drive late in the first half that pushed deep into Tiger territory. The first half appeared to have ended though with another incomplete pass into the end zone. But a pass interference call against Graceville gave Cottondale another play and they took advantage. Drew Bellamy tossed a 16 yard scoring pass to Jackson. The two point play failed but Cottondale had cut the lead to 12-6 at the half.

Graceville came out in the second half and drove it right down the field with a steady dose of Hoover. The big fullback finished off the drive with an 11 yard run for a score. White added the two point run and Graceville led 20-6. Cottondale came right back with another good kickoff return by Jackson. A few plays later they got a 28 yard scoring run from Dominique Webb. The two point try failed and Cottondale trailed 20-12. Graceville fired right back as Jacky Miles ripped off a 35 yard run to the Hornet 45 yard line. That set up another score by White, this time on an 8 yard run with four minutes left in the third quarter.

Cottondale got good field position after a failed on side kick, starting at their own 49 yard line. The Hornets drove to the Tiger 7 yard line as the third quarter came to a close. On the first play of the fourth quarter freshman Josh Simmons made a diving catch in the end zone on a 7 yard scoring strike from Bellamy. Again the two point play failed as Graceville’s lead now stood at 28-18. Graceville took possession and put together a six minute drive that culminated with a 20 yard scoring run by White. Trailing 32-18 Cottondale had one last possession but the drive stalled in Tiger territory with four incomplete passes.

With the win Graceville improved to 3-6 and will next play at Chipley for their season finale. Cottondale fell to 1-7 and will host Liberty County in their season ending contest.