RINGGOLD, Ga. – Fans likely were expecting an offensive show Friday night at Don Patterson Field when North Murray visited Ringgold for both teams’ Region 6-AAA opener.
Instead, they got a defensive clinic from the visiting Mountaineers, who have designs on a big year.
After surviving a missed field goal and called-back touchdown in the first half, North Murray broke a scoreless stalemate midway through the third quarter, then blanked the Tigers until the final minute of play, winning 14-7 for their second straight victory in the series.
Coach Preston Poag’s Mountaineers beat Robert Akins’ Tigers 21-20 in overtime last year for their first win in the series, which started in 2012.
This time, elusive North Murray tailback Dante Tidwell broke through with an 11-yard touchdown run with 5:40 left in the third quarter. The game’s biggest highlight, though, was his 54-yard burst two plays earlier, which got North Murray (2-1) out of a big hole.
The Tigers (1-2) turned the Mountaineers away early in the fourth quarter with a fumble recovery on the Ringgold 1-yard line by Taylor Peasse, but they were unable to get a first down. Garrett Davis, who earlier missed a 32-yard field goal, punted them out of trouble, but the short field was overcome on one play – a 40-yard completion to Ladd McConkey with 10:41 to play.
The Tigers were not able to sustain a drive until 5:09 remained in the game, and even then it was hardly a thing of beauty.
Quarterback Cole Kibler, who struggled all night, was 4-for-8 passing in the drive, and it took the Tigers four plays plus a penalty to score from the North Murray 5. The touchdown itself was a fluke – Andre Tarver fumbled on fourth down, but Kibler was able scoop it up and barely get into the end zone.
Just 1:29 remained in the game, though, and the ensuing onside kick was easily recovered by the visitors.
Contact David Jenkins at sports@timesfreepress.com.