By Michael Butler

Tallassee hoped to find the magic that led them to a deep playoff run a season ago. It was just not meant to be. The Tigers fell to American Christian 20-7 in the first round on Friday in Tuscaloosa ending their season with a 6-5 record.

“They fought hard all year,” said L.A. O’Neal, THS head coach. “I’m just proud of them. They’ve got no reason to hang their head.”

It was the first time O’Neal lost a first-round game in four playoff appearances as a head coach.

Junior quarterback Trent Morris went down with a shoulder injury on the Tigers’ second drive of the first quarter. O’Neal turned to freshman Hamp Love.

“We had some adversity,” O’Neal said. “We didn’t know we were going to lose Trent. Hamp jumped in and did a phenomenal job.”

Love was 9-of-20 passing for 78 yards. He ran 17 times for 58 yards.

The Tigers moved the ball between the 20s but were unable cash in their opportunities committing a couple of turnovers and suffering some untimely penalties.

Yuren Rodriguez missed a couple of first-half field goals of 49 and 30 yards and after Drew Jackson’s 7-yard scamper Tallassee trailed 7-0 at the break.

Tallassee found life early in the third quarter; however, after a three-and-out from the defense and a 74-yard touchdown run by Jaiden “J-Man” Gordon out of the Wildcat formation.

The Tigers’ next offensive drive stalled, and the Patriots rallied with a big play of their own, a 65-yard touchdown pass from Jackson to Davin Thornton for a 14-7 lead. American Christian added a fourth-quarter TD with Jackson connecting with Jaylen Crocker on a 3rd-and-goal from the Tigers’ 6.

The Tigers’ last hope came up a yard short on a fourth-and-goal with Love being stopped inside the 1. ACA ran out the final 2:53 on the clock.

Despite the loss, Tallassee outgained the Patriots by 90 yards in the first meeting between the two schools.

‘”We played a tough team.,” O’Neal added. “We’ve got to get back in the weight room.”

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