Tigers down Indians in district game

Byhalia hosted the Ripley Tigers Friday night and dropped another district game in a 34-2 decision.

The Tigers jumped to a quick lead in the contest scoring four touchdowns in the first half and one in the third frame. The Tigers’ record improved to 6-3 overall and 3-1 in District 2-4A. The Indians fell to 2-7 overall and 0-4 in the division.

The Tigers’ first touchdown came in at the 9:29 mark in the opening quarter. Mikichio Adams ran for a 5-yard score, and the extra point by Owen Childs made the point-after try for a 7-0 score.

Ripley kicked the ball to Byhalia. Charles Powell, on a keeper, gained a first for the Indians. They later went out on downs, facing a fourth and 8. Joaquin Hernandez punted the ball.

The Tigers were hit with penalties and couldn’t move out of their own end zone. Childs was stopped for a safety. Yaphat Hearn’s two points put the Indians on the board.

The Indians stalled again and went out on downs.

The Tigers were in possession of the ball as the first quarter had ended. The score was 7-2.

At the start of the second, the Tigers couldn’t move the chains and went out facing a fourth and 8 at Byhalia’s 25.

The Indians fumbled on a play. Childs recovered and ran 8 yards for the six points at the 10:53 mark. The PAT was good. The Tigers were enjoying a 14-2 lead.

Ripley returned the ball to Byhalia. The Indians had a boost in yardage and faced a fourth and 4. Hernandez punted.

The Tigers went on to score two more touchdowns in the second quarter. At the 6:19 mark, Lester Campbell took a handoff from Childs and ran 14 yards for the six but the one point failed. With 2:23 left remaining, Dylan Goolsby picked a pass and Childs booted for the extra point.

At halftime, the Tigers had built a comfortable 27-2 lead.

The Indians were over the ball in the third frame. Powell, on a keeper, ran the along the left side of the field for a first down. On the next play, he was sacked. The Indians later faced a fourth and 10.

Adams scored his second touchdown for the night. He ran from 12 yards out for six, and the PAT by Childs made it 34-2.

The Indians received an automatic first down from a penalty on the Tigers. But again, the Indians stalled and Hernandez punted the ball.

Ross Shackelford was the field general for the Tigers. On a keeper, he gained a first. Shackelford later hit Isaiah Godwin for another first down. On his next passing play, with only 1:20 left to go, Byhalia’s Jalerius Ward intercepted the ball and ran to paydirt, but it was called back on a penalty. It was one of two interceptions for Ward in the game.

The Indians had a boost in yardage after the pick. But on the next play, the Indians fumbled the ball and the Tigers recovered it.

The Tigers earned a first as time had expired in the third quarter. They were still up 34-2.

The defense looked good for the Indians. They were able to stop some big plays, but unfortunately, the Byhalia offense could not produce points.

“Our biggest issue has been our offense struggling to put points on the board,” coach Kendrick Smith said. “I’m proud of my young men for continuing to fight and playing hard.”

Byhalia will host Lafayette this Friday. This district game will wrap up the season for the Indians. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. The Commodores are 7-2 overall and 4-0 in the district.