CALHOUN, Ga. — Guiding his offense through a penalty-filled landscape for three touchdown drives of 70-plus yards, Ringgold’s Slade Dale and determined defense laid a surprising shutout on Sonoraville on the latter’s homecoming night, 30-0.
Dale, who rushed for 186 yards, accounted for more than 250 yards of offense to help knock off the Phoenix, who were tied with Ringgold and Cartersville atop Region 5-AAA coming into the game.
“We feel Sonoraville has a good team both offensively and defensively, especially on offense,” Ringgold coach Robert Akins said. “They put up close to 800 yards over their last two games (both region wins), but I felt we contained them tonight.”
Lead by the ever-developing Zach Morris, who had four tackles for loss and a sack for a safety, the Tigers held the Phoenix (2-4, 2-1) to 139 total yards. The home team had only one first-half first down, that coming with less than two minutes to play in the second quarter on a trick play.
The Tigers (5-1, 3-0) wasted no time marching down the field. The game-opening drive took 70 yards and nine plays, Dale hitting completions of 15 and 22 yards to his right-hand man, Kile Sholl.