The Adairsville Tigers (4-3, 2-2) won a big region game against the Sonoraville Phoenix 35-25 Friday night to improve its playoff position late in the third quarter.

Sonoraville started off the game with an eight-minute touchdown drive that was capped by an 8-yard score from Tristan Key. In Adairsville ensuing possession, the Tigers fumbled the ball and Sonoraville took over at its own 42-yard line. It appeared that Adairsville was putting itself behind the 8-ball early.

But the defense got the stop.

The Adairsville offense then went on 35-12 scoring run.

Christian Steele scored on a 9-yard rush. On the next possession, Mason Boswell lateraled the ball to Cody Henderson, who then threw a 48-yard touchdown pass to Bryce Burgess to give Adairsville its first lead of the game 14-12.

Sonoraville wasn’t going away that easy, as Key would score his second of three touchdowns; a 55-yard rushing score to cut into the Adairsville lead 14-12. The Tigers were willing to answer, and it started with Travon Branch taking a kick return 88 yards inside the Sonoraville 5-yard line. Burgess would grab his second of three touchdowns on the day, as he would punch it in on the ground from 1-yard out.

Before the half would end, Burgess would cap an Adairsville scoring drive with another 1-yard rushing touchdown to give the Tigers a 28-12 lead at the half.

In the third quarter, Adairsville threw an interception on its opening drive. Sonoraville would march down the field and score Key’s third touchdown run of the game, but would not convert the 2-point conversion.

Adairsville would punt, but the defense would hold strong as it would not allow Sonoraville to convert a fourth down. After getting the ball back, Adairsville would march down the field and would convert a 4th and Goal into a 2-yard rushing score for Boswell to give Adairsville a 35-18 lead in the fourth quarter.

The Phoenix was geared to make things exciting when Blade Bryant picked off Boswell’s second interception 100 yards for a touchdown to make the score 35-25. But it was not enough for Sonoraville as it would fall in the critical Friday night contest.

Adairsville will be at home next week as the Tigers host Bremen at 7:30 PM.