In perhaps the most exciting game in the state Friday night, the Adairsville Tigers won a barn burner against the Chattooga Indians 35-28. The Tigers allowed 21-unanswered points and allowed a second-half lead to escape them, but fought back for the win.
Adairsville scored first on a 10-play, 75-yard drive that was capped off with a 5-yard touchdown run by Eli Agnew. The Tigers had early momentum, but wanted more and went for an onside kick. This is nothing new to Adairsville fans under Coach Eric Bishop. It might not have even been that surprising when Emmanuel Lopez placed the ball perfectly for a recovery. Adairsville was unable to keep the momentum, however, as Zanden Perry took a fumble 48 yards into the end zone to tie the game.
In the second quarter, the Bartow County team retook the lead on a 3-yard touchdown run by Courtney Slocum, but Conner Crunkelton was the hero of the drive as he had a 44-yard run and a 26-yard pass. Andrew Beckro then scooped up a fumble and in just six play, Crunkelton found Evan Sanders for a 62-yard touchdown pass to extend the Adairsville lead to 21-7 and take that lead into the half.
The second half did not go the way of the Tigers, as Chattooga quarterback Cash Allen found Nic Hester for two touchdown passes of 12 yards and 89 yards to tie up the game. A half back pass would give the Indians a lead with six minutes left to play and momentum with the visitors.
Enter Chris Roper.
The sophomore had a 29-yard touchdown run to tie the game with five minutes left in regulation. On the ensuing drive, he caught a 39-yard pass from Crunkelton to give Adairsville a 35-28 lead with 1:56 to go in the game.
The Indian offense was unable to convert a fourth down, and the Tigers took the game 35-28.
Adairsville will travel to Cass next Friday night with kickoff set for 7:30. You can hear the game on Bartow Sports Zone by visiting www.bartowsportszone.com