The Adairsville Tigers (6-3, 5-2) paved a nice lane into the playoffs and the region’s second seed with a 42-35 win over North Murray Friday night.
On senior night, Adairsville scored the game’s first 28 points – all in the first quarter. On a fake field goal, Connor Crunkelton threw a 28-yard pass to Evan Sanders. On the ensuing kickoff, Adairsville recovered the onside kick. Making short work of the defense and looking to capitalize, Ja’Maury Johnson scored on a 21-yard run with 6:11 left in the first quarter. It was nearly six minutes into the game before North Murray touched the football and the Adairsville defense allowed only three plays before a punt. The Tigers scored again on their next possession on a 21-yard run by Courtney Slocum. For good measure, Crunkelton connected with Dylan Matthews on a 29-yard pass for a 28-0 lead at the end of the first quarter.
Seth Griffin had two touchdown runs for North Murray, while D’ante Tidwell for a 75-yard touchdown run. Adairsville had a 75-yard touchdown run from Eli Agnew in the second quarter and another touchdown from Johnson in the third quarter.
Griffin would throw two touchdowns in the fourth quarter for the Mountaineers to cut North Murray within seven points with 7:23 left in the game. The Adairsville offense would take control and have a long, sustained drive that never let North Murray touch the football again.
Adairsville will play Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe next Friday night at 7:30. A win would give Adairsville a No. 2 seed in the GHSA Class AAA playoffs.