The Blountstown Tigers are playing well enough on defense to win ball games, but are still struggling to put points on the scoreboard.
Youth and inexperience on the offensive line have been a key factor in the Tigers’ three losses, but dropped passes, drive killing penalties and untimely mistakes were the difference Friday night at Bowles Field when the Tigers lost a defensive battle with Freeport, 7-6.
“Holmes County, Chipley and Freeport all have good football teams and we had a chance to win all three games, or at least be 2-1,” coach Greg Jordan said Monday. “We showed improvement from Holmes County to Chipley but we fell back some against Freeport. We have to continue to get better. I think a win would give our kids the confidence they need to turn things around for our district schedule and the remainder of the season.”
Looking at the stats from Friday night, it’s hard to understand how Blountstown lost. The Tigers ran 61 plays to Freeport’s 38. The Tigers had 15 first downs to Freeport’s 5. The Tigers rushed for 186 yards to Freeport’s 78.
However, the Tigers had two passes intercepted and lost a fumble. Freeport did not have a turnover in the game. Both teams had 5 penalties for about the same yardage. Unfortunately, the Tigers’ turnovers and penalties seem to have always come on long drives with a chance to score and take the lead.
Freeport scored first on their second possession with a 17 yard touchdown pass. The extra point gave them a 7-0 lead. Freeport never gained another first down.
Late in the second quarter, quarterback Hunter Jordan connected on a slant route with speedster Chris Davis who raced 25 yards for a touchdown. The missed extra point left the Tigers behind at 7-6.
Jordan was 8 of 24 passing for 71 yards, one TD and 2 interceptions. He rushed for 77 yards on 4 carries. Javakiel Brigham had 61 yards and Jawon Mosley added 33.
Corin Peterson and Brigham each had 7 tackles for the Tiger defense. Anthony Curry added 6 while Bobby Andrews, Anthony Williams and Kenya Baker each had 5. Chaz Fain had 4 tackles.
