By Michael Butler
An interception by Marlee Osborne late in the fourth quarter sealed the deal for the Tallassee flag football team in the regular season finale, a 20-19 win over Stanhope Elmore at J.E. “Hot” O’Brien Stadium on Thursday. It was another dramatic finish.
The Tigers improved to 9-2 and have become accustomed to tense moments late in games. They drove the field after falling behind 19-13, scoring the game-tying touchdown and adding the go-ahead extra point. It is the same thing they did a few weeks back in a one-point win over Carroll-Ozark.
“Winning a 20-19 game is a lot better than winning 37-0,” said head coach Pat Love. “We were poised and you could tell we had confidence. It really battle-tests us and get us ready for the playoffs.”
Tallassee will be at home for the first round on Tuesday, Nov. 3 at 6 p.m. and play Greensboro.
“It’s going to be a fight in the playoffs. There are a lot of good teams in this area,” Love noted. “Elmore County is a lot better this year. We could play them in the second round, if they win and we win. Marbury’s got a good team this year. Holtville, this is their first year. We could play (either) of them in the third or fourth round. Carroll is tough. We could see them again in the semifinals. They’ve got to get by Brew Tech. Brew Tech’s really good too.”
Tallassee’s two losses this year came to Central Phenix City and Montgomery Catholic, No. 1 and 2 respectively in the MaxPreps statewide rankings.
“We’ve played some really good teams that prepare you for the end of the year.”
The Tigers will not see Catholic this post-season with the Knights move to the private school classification side of the AHSAA’s new playoff format. Catholic knocked Tallassee out of the playoffs the previous two seasons.
Love has compiled a 33-5-1 record since the program launched in 2024.
“It’s a testament to our girls,” he said. “They’ve stepped up. They’ve worked hard. It’s a grind. I like the way we’re playing right now.”
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