The “Battle of the Big Cats” lived up to its billing, that is, as long as those cats were the ones playing defense.
Plenty of speed was on display for both defenses. Both quarterbacks spent much of the night being harassed by defensive linemen, and there was little running room for the backs.
Back-to-back kick returns to open the second half accounted for the biggest gains by either team and led to all of the scoring.
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The game ended with a QB sack as time expired, which couldn’t have been a more fitting conclusion to the 7-7 draw. Neither offense got its footing all night, and the defenses feasted. Fumbles, penalties, and a crowded box prevented very many first downs. Neither team completed any long aerial plays. Tucker’s only success in the passing game came from well-blocked short passes, resulting in yards after the catch.
The showcase of Division-I talent drew a sizeable crowd. Tucker sold all of its allotment of pre-sale tickets. The Tucker crowd was more vocal in general, but the Jaguars’ fans erupted during big plays.
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The Tigers appeared sure to break open the game in the second quarter when Yusuf Minor got behind the defense to receive a long pass, but was interfered with and could not complete the catch. The 15-yard penalty moved the Tigers into Stephenson territory, but Tucker was still driving when time ran out.
Tucker LB Jacob Sealand recorded an interception on Stephenson’s first drive of the second quarter and returned it into the red zone, but a block in the back on the return backed the Tigers up to the 27. A series of short gains on draw plays, back-and-forth penalties, and a big loss on second down led to this drive stalling out further back than where it started.
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Next for Tucker:
Southwest DeKalb
Thu, Aug 25, 7:30 p.m.
Hallford Stadium (Home)