The Blountstown Tigers seem to be getting a little better each week against some stiff competition. Blountstown traveled to Freeport Friday night and came away with a hard fought 37-22 victory pushing their season record to 2-1.
“Freeport is an annual playoff team and they have a very good quarterback,” coach Greg Jordan said Monday. “Our defense played a little better although we missed some tackles and had a few costly penalties. Offensively, we put up some points and did not turn the ball over.”
On offense, the Tigers played Cole Taylor (280), Tommy Futch (265), Jay Williams (270) and Austin Capps (255) on the line and let them rest on defense. C.J. Hires (190), Dewayne Larramore (200) and Jonathan Leath (190) handled the defensive line duties along with Tripp Taylor (190) and ......
This week the Tigers travel to Port St. Joe to open the district schedule against an improved Shark team. “They beat Wewa and lost to Bozeman and were open last week. They’ll be another tough test for us,” coach Jordan noted.
Junior place kicker Andrew Bennett got the Tigers on the scoreboard first with a 32 yard field goal.
After recovering a Freeport fumble, the Tigers went 80 yards in two plays with the big play being a ... yard gallop by Javakiel Brigham. A 20 yard pass catch and run from Jordan to Junior Josh Taylor was for a touchdown. Bennett’s kick was no good, but the Tigers were up, 9-0.
Late in the first quarter Jordan got outside and fought his way into the endzone for a score. Bennett added the PAT for 16-0 Tiger lead.
Early in the second period, Senior Bobby Andrews plunged into the endzone from two yards out. Bennett added another PAT for a 23-0 Tiger lead.
Before halftime, Freeport put together a 12 play 65 yard drive and scored with 4 seconds in the half on a 9 yard scoring pass. The extra point was good and the lead was cut to 23-7.
Freeport came out in the second half and drove 70 yards in only 5 plays, added two points and the Tigers’ lead was cut to 23-15.
After a good kickoff return by Roosevelt Martin, the Tigers would only need 4 plays to cover 28 yards with Sophomore Alex Mayorga racing 24 yards for the score. Bennett’s kick was good and the lead was up to 30-15 to open the fourth quarter.
Freeport would not give up and put together a 10 play 63 yard drive capped off with a 20 yard scoring pass. The PAT was good and the score narrowed once more to 30-22.
With hard running by Jordan, Mayorga, Brigham and Andrews, the Tigers ate up the clock and put together a 10 play 68 yard drive. Mayorga extended the ball across the goal line before it was knocked loose and was ruled a touchdown from the four yard line. Bennett’s kick was once again true and the final score was posted at 37-22.
Blountstown rushed the ball 35 times for 261 yards, four touchdowns and a 7.5 yard per rush average. Jordan led the ground attack with 104 yards on 16 carries followed by Mayorga with 82 yards on 7 attempts. Brigham had 60 yards on 6 carries and fullback Bobby Andrews pounded the line for 21 yards on 4 carries.
Jordan completed 5 of 11 passes for 52 yards and one touchdown.
Freeport was held to 72 yards on 27 rushing plays but completed 14 of 25 passes for 170 yards and two touchdowns.
Tripp Taylor led the defensive effort with 10 tackles followed by Brigham with 9. Dylon Lee and C.J. Hires had 5 tackles each followed by Shon Peterson and Dewayne Larramore with 4 each. Jonathan Leath, Bobby Andrews, Roosevelt Martin, Brett Bozeman, Tanner Peacock and Ryan Hathcox also made defensive plays for the Tigers against a very good offensive team.
The Tigers will need to continue to improve, eliminate costly penalties and put points on the scoreboard like they have against Chipley and Freeport to open the district schedule with a victory.
According to coach Jordan, Tanner Peacock was scheduled to have his shoulder checked out this week, but no other Tigers should miss action for the Port St. Joe matchup.
