Tot Gardner hauls in a 23-yard touchdown reception from quarterback Tyler Thompson on Friday night at Tyner Academy. (Photo Courtesy of Robert Farrar)
STAFF REPORT
CHATTANOOGA — Although the Marshall County Tigers held a 20-18 lead at halftime at Tyner Academy on Friday night, the Rams stormed back with a furious second-half rally to beat the Tigers, 45-26.
Marshall County got on the board with a 23-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Tyler Thompson to Tot Gardner and led 7-6 after the first period.
A Tiger fumble on the 36-yard line set up the potential tying score, but the extra point missed, leaving the Tigers in front 7-6.
Tyner later took a 13-7 lead over the Tigers early in the second quarter, but saw Marshall County continue to hammer away at the Rams.
Thompson connected with Marks Mitchell on a 13-yard touchdown strike mid-way through the second and opted to go for the two-point conversion to make it a 15-12 Tiger lead, but the conversion attempt was stopped short.
Still, Marshall County held a 13-12 lead with plenty of time left in the second.
As time continued to wind, the Tigers pressed into the Tyner red-zone with less than three minutes in the half and Thompson rattled loose on an 11-yard score for his third of the half, putting Marshall County up 20-12 after Rodner Rogel’s successful extra point.
But Tyner was able to press to the Tiger eight-yard line and brought the score back within two in the closing seconds.
In the third, a Tiger fumble recovery led to a 49-yard recovery and a 24-20 Ram lead early in the third.
The Tigers responded in short order when Thompson used his legs to mark his second rushing touchdown of the night, but that score was the final of the game for the visitors.
Tyner closed the game on a 21-0 run to close out the non-district tilt.
Thompson completed 13-of-17 attempts for 168 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
Tot Gardner hauled in one 23-yard score and Marks Mitchell added 49 yards on five catches to go with his touchdown grab as well.
Kendrick Tears was the top target of the night, making three catches for 79 yards.
On the ground, the Tigers cranked out 156 yards and were led by Aiden Bryant, who had 51 yards on nine carries.
Thompson added 39 yards on 12 touches and a pair of scores as well.
The loss drops the Tigers to 2-3 on the year, but sets up a key region road game on Friday at Battle Creek.
Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
Marshall Co. 7 13 6 0 — 26
Tyner Acad. 6 12 13 14 — 45