The #1 ranked Many Tigers roared past the Independence Tigers 49-0 in a first round playoff game Friday night at John W. Curtis stadium. It was never a question of who would but the question would be by how much.
After Independence went 3 and out o, a routine that wound up taking place the entire first half, Many marched 63 yards in 3 plays. Jeremiah James scored the first touchdown from 28 yards out and Deacon Lafollette added the kick, his first of 7.
On the Tigers second possession, after Independence went 3 and out again, the Tigers once again took 3 plays to score, this time the drive took 53 yards. London Williams accounted for the last 28 and with Lafollette good again, the Tigers led 14-0.
On the 3rd play of Independence’s next possession, Jamarlyn Garner recovered a fumble and Many set up shop their own 24. This time James fumbled and gave the ball to Independence at the 17 yard line.
On the 2nd play of the possession, Independence fumbled and Swayze Carheel scooped it up and returned it a yard for the third Tiger touchdown. Lafollette once again added the kick to make the score 21-0 at the end of the first quarter.
Another 3 and out (theme of the 1st half) for Independence and the Tigers embarked on a 66 yard, 7 play drive that ended with a James 26 yard touchdown run. Lafollette made it 28-0 with the kick.
Jamarlyn Garner scooped up his 2nd fumble recovery of the night on Independence’s first play from scrimmage on their next possession. The Tigers were stopped on downs this time giving the ball back to Independence.
Another Independence 3 and out, gave Many the ball on their own 26 yard line. The Tigers covered 74 yards on 7 plays, the last play being a 15 yard James run, his 3rd touchdown of the first half. Lafollette added the kick, making the score 35-0 at the half.
Independence gained 1 yard in the first half and had 0 first downs. The Tiger defense brought back memories of the 1985 Bears.
With the outcome decided, the Tigers started the second half with their own 3 and out. On Independence’s first possession of the second half there was a rare sighting, a first down, albeit by penalty. Independence fumbled on the next play and Garet Culverson recovered for the Tigers.
Jack Deville replaced a resting (ankle) Tackett Curtis at quarter for the Tigers and quickly completed a pass to James for 21 yards but James again put the ball on the ground for another fumble. Independence took over and got their 2nd first down of the night at the 7:00 minute mark of the third quarter. The Tigers forced a punt that they would block and now had the ball on the 18 yard line. London Williams gained 13 yard on the first play to only fumble the ball into the end zone for a touchback.
Independence went 3 and out on the next possession and after a punt, Williams took a handoff on the first play and scored from 64 yards out. Lafollette brought the score to 42-0.
Independence got their 3rd first down on their next possession on their first down play but went 3 and out on the 3 plays to follow.
The Tigers started the 4th quarter on the 42 yard line, took 5 plays to score with Williams covering the last yard for his 3rd touchdown of the night. Lafollette’s kick brought the score to 49-0 with 10:02 left in the game.
Independence had two more possessions of 3 and out to end the game. The Tiger defense probably had their best game of the season and look to keep it up headed into the second round. Many totaled 468 yards (422 via the run) on the night while Independence was held to negative 10. Independence passed for 50 yards and had negative 60 yards rushing. Marquise Maxie had a huge night on the defense as he was in on 8 tackles, 3 behind the line of scrimmage. Demario Glover was in on 6 tackles with 3 behind the line of scrimmage. The defense caused and recovered 4 fumbles on the night.
The Tigers will travel in the 2nd round to #17 seed East Feliciana, an upset winner on the road over #16 seed Pine. East Felicia is in the Baton Rouge area and will surely be invaded by numerous Tiger fans next Friday.
Scoring Summary:
1st Quarter
9:20 Jeremiah James 28 yard run, Deacon Lafollette kick 7-0
7:36 London Williams 21 yard run, Lafollette kick 14-0
1:45 Swayze Carheel 1 yard fumble return, Lafollette kick 21-0
2nd Quarter
8:14 James 26 yard run, Lafollette kick 28-0
0:30 James 15 yard run, Lafollette kick 35-0
3rd Quarter
2:41 L. Williams 64 yard run Lafollette kick 42-0
4th Quarter
10:02 L. Williams 1 yard run, Lafollette kick 49-0
Individual Stats:
Rushing: M – L.Williams 17-235, 3 TD’s, James 16-134, 3 TD’s, T. Willams 4-45, J. Garner 3-9, Singleton 1-5, T. Curtis 1-neg 2
I – 27-neg 60
Passing: M- Curtis 1-2-21, Deville 1-1-21
I – 2-14-50
Receiving: M-Deville 1-21, James 1-21
I – 2-50
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