After an auspicious start, the Adairsville Tigers (4-5, 3-4) defeated Murray County on Friday night by a score of 22-14 to keep their playoff hopes alive.

Murray County drew first blood with a 17-yard touchdown pass to Brannon Nuckolls just before the first quarter could expire. Adairsville was able to answer right back with a 6-yard touchdown run by Eli Agnew to even up the score at 7 apiece. Coach Eric Bishop, lovingly known as “The Riverboat Gambler,” elected to try an onside kick, which was recovered by his Tigers. Adairsville turned the special teams play into three points, as Emanuel Lopez drilled a 40-yard field goal to give Adairsville a 10-7 lead.

Murray County would answer back with a 27-yard touchdown toss from Cade Petty, his second of the day and would, in turn, recover an onside kick of its own. The Mountaineers were unable to convert the special teams play into points, but would instead see Adairsville score 12 unaswered points en route to its 22-14 victory.

Adairsville is back in action next Friday with a home game against Ringgold.