RINGGOLD, Ga. - Somewhere along the line in what could have been a lost season, the Ringgold Tigers found themselves.
Ringgold (6-4) won its third consecutive game to close out the regular season on a sloppy Friday night at Don Patterson Field, downing North Murray 28-6 to earn Region 6-AAA's final playoff berth. The Tigers, who will go to the playoffs for the fourth season in succession, will travel to Dawson County next Friday.
"This is big for us," Ringgold coach Robert Akins said. "We had a slow start and some really major setbacks, but our kids have battled all year. We're playing better now, especially defensively. We're excited to have the opportunity to be 0-0 and head over to Dawson County for the playoffs."
The Mountaineers (4-6) came in with a defensive plan to stop Ringgold's high-powered passing game. That came at the expense of the run defense, however, and the Tigers' Dee King took advantage to rush for a season-best 186 yards and two touchdowns.
People either try to blitz us and play man-to-man or zone to stop the pass game," Akins said. "They were giving us the run and Dee ran hard and the line blocked well. It's nice to have a run game that can complement our passing."
King's 47-yard run on Ringgold's second possession set up Devin Lancaster's 6-yard touchdown pass to Dalton Green. Early in the second quarter, with a steady rain becoming a bit harder, King broke off a 24-yard run on the first play following an interception. Two plays later Chase Shelby went around left end for a 12-yard touchdown and a 14-0 lead.
Just as dominant was the Ringgold defense, which recorded five interceptions and caused five more fumbles (though none were recovered defensively). Defensive linemen Michael King, Tristen Pierce and Aaron Bishop continually harassed North Murray quarterback Blake Davis and were the leaders in a squad that allowed just 176 total yards.
The score was 21-0 at halftime after King's 1-yard run capped a 55-yard drive set up by a Michael Layman interception, and any Mountaineers comeback hopes were dashed early in the final quarter when King's 2-yard run made it 28-0.
"We've had our ups and downs, but we finished out the regular season on a hot streak," said Lancaster, who passed for 147 yards. "The conditions weren't great for passing and they had a good scheme to stop the passing game, so we ran the ball well. I think we can make a run in the playoffs, especially with the way we're playing."
Contact Lindsey Young at lyoung@timesfreepress.com or at 423-757-6296; follow on Twitter @youngsports22.