Sideline Stories 2009

Tigers Roll Over Dallas County 42-18

The West Blocton Tigers rolled up 445 yards of offense on 41 carries as they rolled over the Dallas County Hornets. James Kelser led all rushers with 158 yards on 20 carries while D.J. Ward had 152 yards on 9 carries. Jacob Lindsey added 114 yards on just 6 touches. On the offensive downside, the Tigers had six fumbles and lost five of them.

The Tigers got the scoring started early as QB Jacob Lindsey, raced sixty five yards on the Tigers’ first play from scrimmage. The PAT failed but the Tiger led 6-0 early.  The Tigers added to the score on their next possession as D.J. Ward got the score on a five yard run around the left side. The try for two failed but the Tigers led 12-0 with less than three minutes played.

The Hornets could get nothing going offensive thanks to a stingy Tiger defense in the first quarter. Facing a fourth and five, the Hornets tried a fake punt but the Tiger defense made the stop giving the Tigers great field position. Five plays later, the Tigers were in the end zone again. D.J. Ward and James Kelser were the work horses on the drive with Kelser capping the drive on an eighteen yard run. Ward also added the two point conversion making the score 20-0. 

The Tigers were led defensively by Kelser with six stops; Jacob Lindsey added five with Payten Lowrey with four. Jacob Bush and Keondre Hill each had three tackles with Bush also adding an interception. Preston Huffstutler and Bubba Fulmer also played well defensively for the Tigers.

The Hornets got their first score in the second quarter on a five play seventy yard drive. The touchdown came after a Tiger turnover at the Hornets thirty. The Pat failed leaving the score 20-6 at halftime.

Things got interesting in the third quarter as the Hornets cut into the Tiger lead on the opening possession of the second half. The visitors drove sixty yards in ten plays to make the score 20-12 midway through the third period. The PAT was blocked by the Tigers.

Following a Tiger punt, the Hornets took over at their own thirty three. On third down, Jacob Bush picked off a hornet pass to give the Tigers new life and a first down deep in Hornet territory. Offensively, the Tigers turned to their senior fullback on three straight carries. Kelser following the blocks of Alex Bailey, Justin White, Bubba Fulmer, Drew Collins and Cody Pate, Kelser rambled for twenty five yards and a touchdown. The PAT was blocked leaving the score WB 26-Dallas County 12 with one minute to play in the third.

Dallas County came roaring back and returned the Tiger kick deep into Tiger territory. Three plays later, the Hornets were in the end zone. The PAT was no good and the score stood at 26-18 as the fourth quarter began.

The Tigers took the ensuing kick and behind the running of Kelser and Ward drove all the way to the Hornets five before stopping themselves with a fumble.  Unable to move from the Tigers’ five, the Hornets were forced to punt. The snap sailed over the punter’s head and out of the end zone giving the Tigers two points and the football.

Jacob Lindsey returned the kick to the hornets forty. On third and ten from the forty, Lindsey kept the football and took off on a forty yard touchdown run. Keondre Hill booted the PAT to make the score 35-18 with five minutes to play in the game.  The Tigers added a late touchdown as D.J. Ward raced seventy five yards with less than a minute left in the game. Hill added the Pat to make the final score WB 42 DC 18.

The Tigers begin Region play this week as the travel to Sumiton Christian.

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Sideline Stories 2008

Tigers Roll for a Homecoming Victory 33-14

All season long, it seems big plays have hurt the Tigers. If a play here or there would have gone differently so could have the Tiger season. But on a Halloween Homecoming night in West Blocton it was the Tigers who made the big plays and turned a close game into a victory. With the help of the big plays, the Tigers were able to defeat the Holy Spirit Titans 33-14. 

This night also belonged to the eleven seniors who wore the red and white football uniform for the last time. The seniors are; Jacob Weaver, Jason Edmondson, Chapman Simmons, Kody Smitherman, Joseph Clements, Scott Jennings, Nathan Pounds, Zach Johnson, Steven Cook, Tyler Goodwin and Josh Cromer.

In the game, the tigers began as if they had a Turnip Green Supper hangover. Following a botched opening kick and then a three and out by the offense, the Tigers went on the defense at their own forty. It took Holy Spirit only five plays to go the forty yards and take a 7-0 lead with less than four minutes played

The lead by Holy Spirit seemed to have awakened the Tigers. On the ensuing kick, Jacob Lindsey returned the ball to the Tigers’ forty five. From there, the Tigers began a methodical fifty five yard ten play drive to the end zone. James “Tank” Kelser, fully recovered from his ankle injury earlier this year, capped the drive with a four yard run. Freddie Jost’s PAT was blocked and the Tigers stilled trailed 7-6 but not for long.

The Tigers got the first of the big plays I referred to earlier on the ensuing kick. As the kick returner for Holy Spirit reached the thirty five, he was covered up by the Tigers. Just before the play was whistled dead, the Tiger’s Matthew Carroll came bursting out of the pile with the football and raced untouched to the end zone. Carroll had successful stripped the football from the ball carrier. Jacob Lindsey added the two point conversion with a run around the left side and the Tigers had their first lead 14-7.            

Holy Spirit found themselves in a hole on their next possession as the Tiger’s defensive pressure forced mistakes by the Titans. Forced to punt from their own goal line, the Titans had their punt blocked by the Tiger’s Cody Pate. Pate broke through the line blocked the punt and then recovered the football at Holy Spirit’s one yard line. Lindsey and his offense needed only one play to score. Lindsey got he score on a one yard plunge. The PAT by Keondre Hill was wide left but the Tigers had scored three touchdowns in less than three minutes.

The Titans fought back and got inside the Tiger’s ten late in the second quarter. A strong defensive effort by the Tigers forced a field goal attempt and when the snap and hold were mishandled by the Titans, the Tigers had held and took the 20-7 lead into halftime.

The Titans began the second half much like the first. The visitors took the second half kick and marched sixty yards in eight plays to pull with six 20-14. But again, the Tigers responded to the challenge and took the ensuing kick and drove sixty five yards in nine plays to match the Titan’s score. Kelser capped this drive with a one yard run. The two point attempt failed and but the Tigers had a 26-14 lead with less than three minutes to play in the third quarter.

The Tigers added one more score midway through the fourth quarter as D.J. Ward broke loose on a thirty seven yard run. Ward’s run capped a fifty one five play drive. Jost added the PAT for the final score of 33-14.

Blue Devils top Tigers 48-20

West Blocton’s fullback James Kelser rushed for over 200 yards but it wasn’t enough as the Tigers fell to the highly ranked Cordova Blue Devils. Kelser finished the game with more rushing yards than the highly touted Cordova running back Tim Simon. The Tigers were their own worst enemy as turnovers and miscues greatly hurt their chance for an upset.

In the game, Cordova took the opening kick and drove to their first score. The trip to the end zone was not an easy one as the Tiger defense made the Devils earn every yard. The Blue Devils scored after moving fifty one yards in ten plays. The PAT made the score 7-0 with 7:01 left in the first quarter.

Following the kick, the Tigers offense took over at their forty three. On the first play from scrimmage, disaster struck. A Tiger fumble was picked up by a Devil and returned to the Tigers eight yard line. Three plays later, the tigers now trailed 13-0.

After taking over at the thirty following the kick, The Tiger offense went to work. It took only three plays as Kelser got the call all three times. Kelser was running behind the offensive line of Tyler Goodwin, Alex Bailey, Joe Clements, Chapman Simmons, Cody Pate and Kody Simtherman who were opening big holes in the Blue Devil defense. Freddie Jost booted the PAT to cut the Devil lead to 13-7.

The Devils came back to up the score 19-7 following a sixty seven yard thirteen play drive. The Devils were successful on a two point conversion play to increase their lead to 21-7.     

Later in the second quarter, the Tigers took over on their own fifteen as the Tiger defense came up with a fumble recovery of their own. Jacob Lindsey fell on the loose ball to stop a Cordova drive. From the fifteen, the Tigers quickly raced downfield. The drive stalled at the Devil ten and Jost was called on to attempt a twenty seven yard field goal. Jost slipped on the slippery and wet field and the kick fell at the five yard line. Cordova’s all everything; Tim Simon picked up the kick and raced untouched ninety five yards for the score. The PAT was good and just like that, the Tigers trailed 28-7 with two minutes to play before halftime. .          

Things got worse for the Tigers as on the ensuing kick, the Blue Devils pulled off an accidental onsides kick and once again had possession of the ball. The Devils scored again as they went fifty yards in six plays. The tigers went in trailing at halftime 35-7.

The Devils made it 42-7 on their first possession of the second half as Simon took a pass seventy yards on a third and ten play.

The remainder of the third quarter was scoreless. The Tigers got on the scoreboard again early in the fourth quarter as they went seventy two yards in six plays. Again, it was Kelser doing most of the work. Kelser capped the drive on a twenty yard run. Jost added the PAT to make the score 42-14.

The JV teams finished the game for both teams. Cordova added a touchdown at the 2:05 mark of the fourth. The Tigers answered with time running out. Freshman running back Ladarius Holt had a big run of forty yards. Payten Lowrey got the score with a ten yard run around the right side. The PAT failed leaving the final score 48-20.

The Tigers will play their final game of the season this Friday night. It will be homecoming with the classes ending in 8 being honored. The Tigers opponent will be the Holy Spirit Titans. But before the game, there will be the traditional Turnip Green Supper on Thursday night at he Youth ball field behind the Elementary school at West Blocton. There will also be the Homecoming Parade on Friday afternoon and the crowning of the Homecoming Queen Friday night.  

Aliceville Yellow Jackets sting the Tigers 14-3

            After jumping out to a 3-0 lead, the West Blocton Tigers couldn’t answer two Aliceville touchdowns and fell by the score of 14-3. Despite the loss, the Tigers turned in perhaps their best defensive performance of the season against a speedy Jacket team. Leading the Tigers defensive efforts were; James Kelser, Jason Edmondson, Zach Johnson, Jacob Bush, Jacob Lindsey, Bubba Fulmer, Justin White, Payten Lowrey, Bradley Boyd and Steven Cook.

            The Tigers took the opening kick and were forced to punt after failing to make a first down. Scott Jennings’ punt was fumbled by the Jackets as Steven Cook, Justin White and Chapman Simmons scrambled for the loose football. Simmons came up with the recovery and the Tigers had new life at the Jackets’ thirty. Behind the running of Matt Carroll, the Tigers got as close as the five before the drive stalled. Freddie Jost was called on to attempt a twenty five yard field goal. Jost delivered and the Tigers held a 3-0 midway through the first period.

            After an exchange of punts, Aliceville mounted their first scoring drive. The Jackets were aided by a pass interference call on a fourth down play at the Tigers ten. With an automatic first down, the Jackets completed their ten play fifty yard drive to the end zone. The successful PAT made the score 7-3 in favor of the Jackets midway through the second period.    

            The Jackets drove deep into Tiger territory just before halftime but the drive was stopped as Tiger Corner Jacob Bush picked off a Jacket pass at the Tiger ten and returned it all the way to the Jacket twenty seven. From the twenty seven as time was running out in the second period, the tigers attempted a pass into the end zone but it too was picked of by the Jackets leaving the score 7-3 at halftime.

            Aliceville took the second half kick and mounted a sixty eight yard eleven play drive. The Tigers didn’t go quietly and mounted a furious goal line stand. The Jackets were able to punch it in form the one yard line on fourth down. The PAT made the score 14-3.

            The Tiger offense mounted two more scoring attempts. The first drive was led by the running of Fullback James Kelser. Kelser back from an ankle injury was a punishing runner in the fourth quarter. A fumble at the Jacket thirty five killed the drive however.

            The Tigers turned to the passing game on their second drive as time was running out. Junior receiver Charro White caught two passes from Jacob Lindsey for thirty two yards. Freshman Jacob Bush also had a run of fifteen yards on the drive. The Tigers reached the Jacket thirty before turning the ball over on downs.

            The Tigers will be at home the next two weeks to close out the season. This week the opponent will be the once beaten Cordova Blue Devils. Next week will be homecoming and the Tigers opponent will be Holy Spirit. 

Tigers can’t stop Wildcats lose 44-19

The West Blocton Tigers jumped out to a 19-8 first half lead but couldn’t stop the visiting Sumter County Wildcats in the second half. Aided by Tiger turnovers, the Wildcats exploded for thirty six second half points with thirty of the points coming in the third quarter. The loss all but eliminated the Tigers hopes of a playoff appearance.

The Tigers got off to a great start in the game as they took the opening kick and drove 55 yards in 8 plays to score. With two running back starters out with injuries, The Tigers turned to Matt Carroll and Jason Edmondson to carry the load on this drive. Edmondson had a 15 yard pass from Jacob Lindsey and Carroll ripped off 20 yards on the drive. With the touchdown and kicker Freddie Jost extra point, the Tigers took a 7-0 lead early in the game.

The lead didn’t hold up long as Sumter County gave a preview of what was to come in the second half. The Wildcats went seventy yards in four plays to score. The Wildcats added the two point conversion to take an 8-7 lead midway through the first period.

The Tigers regained the lead on their next possession by going 70 yards in only three plays. Matt Carroll ripped off a fifty yard run followed by Jacob Lindsey’s ten yard run. Carroll got the touchdown as he went the final ten yards around left end. The PAT attempt failed leaving the score 13-8 in favor of the Tigers.

The teams let the dust settle for awhile and settled into a defensive struggle on their next possessions. The Tigers got a big break just before halftime. With the Wildcats attempting to punt, the Tigers put on a huge rush and forced an errant punt by the Wildcats. The punt traveled only ten yards and the Tigers had possession at the Wildcat thirty. From the thirty, the Tigers used seven plays to get the score. Lindsey got the score on a one yard plunge into the middle of the line. The Tigers try for the two point conversion failed leaving the Tigers with a 19-8 halftime lead.

The second half turned ugly for the Tigers. After appearing to stop the Wildcats on their first second half possession, the Tigers gave up a big play. The Wildcats faced a fourth and fifteen at the Tiger twenty. A pass into the end zone resulted in a Wildcat score and after a successful two point conversion, The Tiger lead had been cut to 19-16.

Two fumbles by the Tigers aided the Wildcats as they began their third quarter scoring frenzy. When the third quarter ended, the Tigers had given up two turnovers and thirty points.

A late score by the Wildcats was the only fourth period points. The late touchdown brought the final score to 44-19. The Tigers will travel to Aliceville this week before returning home to face Cordova and Holy Spirit.        

Tige

Tigers fall to Montevallo 42-21

            The Montevallo Bulldogs used speed and big plays to subdue the Tigers 42-21. The loss, a non region game for the Tigers, dropped the Tigers record to 2-3 on the year.

            The Tigers took the opening kick and were unable to move the ball. Following the punt and return, the Bulldogs took possession at the Tigers thirty nine. From the thirty nine, it took the Bulldogs only two plays to score. The successful PAT made the score 7-0.

            The Tigers were driving on the next possession but coughed up the football at midfield. The Tiger defense led by Jason Edmondson, Bradley Boyd, Bubba Fulmer, Paten Lowrey and Jacob Bush stopped the Bulldogs inside the Tiger twenty.

            Unable to move the ball, the Tigers were forced to punt and the Bulldogs returned the kick deep into Tiger territory at the fifteen. The Bulldogs scored three plays later to take a fourteen point lead.

            The Tigers trying to claw back into the game appeared to score on a 55 yard Jacob Lindsey run. The play however, was nullified as an official blew an inadvertent whistle. Lindsey who had faked the handoff to his big fullback James Kelser then shot around the left end untouched. After the let down, the Tigers were unable to move and were forced to punt.

            It didn’t take the Bulldogs long to add to their lead as they went 65 yards in only one play. The PAT was again good and the Tigers trailed Montevallo 21-0 midway through the second quarter.

            The Tigers broke into the scoring column on their next possession by going 65 yards in only 5 plays. Jacob Lindsey passed 35 yards to Drew Collins then Kelser ripped off twenty five yards on two carries. Kelser capped the drive on a one yard run. Freddie Yost added the PAT to make the score 21-7 at halftime.

            Montevallo went up 28-7 to begin the second half as they covered 75 yards in only 4 plays. The Tigers answered in quick fashion also as they went 65 yards in 3 plays. Kelser ripped off 25 yards on the drive and Jacob Lindsey got the score on a 35 yard run. Yost’s PAT made the score 28-14.

            The two teams swapped scores one more time in the third quarter. It took the Bulldogs only 4 plays to cover 85 yards while the Tigers answered with a 10 play 69 yard drive. The big play on the Tiger’s drive was a 20 yard run by Matt Carroll. Kelser capped the drive with a one yard plunge up the middle. Yost PAT made the score 35-21 with only 27 ticks left on the clock in the third quarter.

            The Bulldogs ended the scoring for the night by going 75 yards in only one play. The touchdown and PAT made the final score 42-21.

            The Tigers will be on the road this week as they get back to region play. The Northside Rams will be the Tigers opponent,

Gordo Hands Tigers 51-27 loss

The West Blocton Tigers fought hard and valiantly against Gordo but could not stop the potent Greenwave offensive machine. The result left the Tigers with a 2-2 over all record and 1-2 in Region play.

            The Tigers got the home stands rocking early as Jacob Lindsey returned the opening kick 95 yards for a score. The PAT was blocked but the Tigers held an early 6-0 lead.

            The lead didn’t stand long however as Gordo came back and got two touchdowns on their first two possessions. The Greenwave went 55 yards in 4 plays for their first TD and went 31 yards in two plays for their second touchdown. The score stood at 14-6 with 8:32 to play in the first period.

            Behind the running of James Kelser, the Tigers came back and mounted a 76 yard 11 play drive to tie the score. Lindsey capped the drive on a six yard run around the left side while Kelser ran in the two point conversion to knot the score.

            With the aid of two Tiger turnovers, the Greenwave added two more touchdowns and a field goal to take a 31-14 halftime lead.   

            The Tigers got a break of their own to begin the second half when Jacob Weaver recovered an onside kick. The Tigers looking to mount a comeback were unable to capitalize on the turnover as they suffered a huge loss in the game as fullback James Kelser re-injured the ankle hurt in last week’s loss to Greene County.       

            Gordo added another touchdown before the Tigers D.J. Ward broke loose on a 58 yard jaunt to the end zone. Ward broke three tackles on the run. The touchdown left the score at 38-21 to begin the fourth quarter.

            The Greenwave proved unstoppable as they added two more scores in the fourth period to take a 51-21 lead with three minutes to play.                

            The Tigers got a late score as they went eighty yards in eight plays as time was running out. Justin White and Jacob Lindsey had big runs on the drive as Payten Lowrey directed the attack. Lowrey had a run of twenty five yards and a twenty yard touchdown pass to split end Charro White. The PAT failed leaving the final score Gordo 51 Tigers 27.

            The Tigers were led on defense by Linebacker Jason Edmondson. Edmondson recovering from an injury and playing in only his second game of the season ended the game with eleven tackles.

            The Tigers will be at home again this week as they will face the Montevallo Bulldogs and another offensive show.  

Tigers Mauled by Green County 62-21

What was an extremely close game in the first half turned into a nightmare for the WB Tigers in the second half. The Tigers led Greene County 7-6 with less than a minute to play before halftime. A Tiger turnover and subsequent touchdown by Greene County turned out be a prelude of what was to come in the second half. Turnovers by WB and a devastating passing game by Greene County did the Tigers in.                                                     The Tigers made it look easy on their first possession. After a return by Jacob Lindsey to Greene County’s 44, the Tigers scored on an 8 play drive. Lindsey capped the drive on a one yard run. Freddie Jost added the PAT and the Tigers led 7-0.

Greene County came back on their first possession and went 55 yards in 8 plays to score. GC had to convert a key fourth down play at WB’s 30 to keep the drive alive. Greene County which went for the two point conversion after every touchdown failed to convert on this one and the score stood at 7-6 late in the first quarter.

On the ensuing kick, Jacob Lindsey set the tigers up with good field position as he returned the kick all the way to the Greene County 30. The Tigers hurt by a motion penalty were unable to get any closer and turned the ball over on downs.

The second quarter turned into a defensive struggle with neither team able to mount a scoring threat. The Tigers also suffered a huge loss as their leading rusher Fullback James Kelser left the game with an ankle injury in the second quarter. The Tiger turnover mentioned earlier led to a Greene County score and the Tigers trailed at halftime 14-7.

The third quarter turned into a scoring frenzy by Greene County as the home team scored four times before the Tigers answered. The passing game of Greene County and turnovers by the Tigers were the biggest contributors to the scoring onslaught. With less than three minutes to play in the third quarter, the Tigers found themselves trailing 42-14.

WB scored on a 56 yard 7 play drive early in the fourth. Senior Jason Edmondson playing in his first game since being injured in the pre season was the work horse on the drive. Edmondson had to be pressed into service at fullback due to the injury to Kelser. Edmondson also led the defensive effort at Linebacker for the Tigers in his first game back. Lindsey capped the drive on a 12 yard run and Jost added the Pat to make the score 42-14.

Greene County added three more scores in the fourth period as they kept pressing their passing game.                     

    A lot of young players for the Tigers saw action in the second half and were able to punch the ball into the end zone.  The young Tigers mounted a 55 yard 8 play drive. Players seeing action and running the ball were; Scott Stewart, Stephon Motley, Justin White and Ladarius Holt. DJ Ward got the score on a 30 yard run. Jost added his third Pat to make the final score 62-21.

The Tigers will not have long to lick their wounds as the Gordo Green Wave will be coming to town this Friday night. Gordo lost for the first time this season also as they lost a close game to the Number 1 team in the state Cordova.  

Jacob Lindsey #10 returns a kickoff for good yardage in action against Greene County

Tigers Run Over Sumitan Christian 42-29

The West Blocton Tigers used a strong running game as they racked up win number two of this young season. With the win, the Tigers are 2-0 overall and 1-0 in region play. Junior fullback James Kelser led the Tiger assault with 200 yards rushing. The Tigers offensive line of Tyler Goodwin, Kody Smitherman, Chapman Simmons, Joseph Clements, Alex Bailey and Cody Pate also opened big holes for junior wing backs D.J. Ward and Matt Carroll and sophomore Quarterback Jacob Lindsey who turned in solid rushing performances also.

The Tigers started the scoring early. After a good opening kick return by Jacob Lindsey, WB had good field position at their own 45. It took the Tigers 8 plays to cover the 55 yards for the score. D.J Ward capped the drive with a 5 yard run around left end. Freddie Jost added the PAT and the Tigers led 7-0.

The Eagles tied the score in less than two minutes as they went 63 yards in only 4 plays. The successful PAT made the score 7-7 and the game looked to turn into an offensive show.

Following an exchange of punts, the Tigers took the lead for good. Taking over at their 31, the Tigers drove 69 yards in 7 plays. QB Jacob Lindsey got the score on a 20 yard romp around the left side. Jost PAT made the score 14-7 Tigers early in the second quarter.

Sumiton Christian quickly went 55 yards in only 6 plays on their next possession but a blocked PAT by the Tigers kept the score at 14-13 and persevered the Tigers slim lead with less than 6 minutes to play before halftime.

            The Tigers exploded for two touchdowns before halftime intermission. The first score came on a 55 yard drive. After a good kick return by Jamarcus Templeton, the Tigers used all their running backs to get into the end zone. Jacob Lindsey got his second TD as he capped the drive by scampering 26 yards for the score. Jost PAT made the score 21-13 with less than a minute to go in the second period. An interception and 35 yard return by safety Payten Lowrey set the Tigers up for a scoring opportunity at the Eagles 25. The Tigers needed only three plays to get the ball into the end zone. A Jacob Lindsey to D.J. Ward pass covered the final ten yards. Payten Lowrey ran in the two point conversion and the Tigers had a 29-13 lead at halftime.

            In the third quarter, the Tigers added to their lead. After the defense led by Justin White, James Kelser, Jacob Lindsey, Bubba Fulmer and  Jacob Bush stopped the Eagles deep in Tiger territory, WB  went 72 yards in 5 plays to score. Kelser capped the drive with a ten yard run up the middle. Jost PAT made the score 36-13 with 2 minutes to play in the third quarter.

            Following an exchange of punts, the Eagles added another score as they went 50 yards in 5 plays. The score and PAT made the score 36-21.

            A successful recovery of an onsides kick by the Tigers gave them good field position at midfield.  This time, Kelser and company covered the 50 yards in 5 plays. Kelser got his second score on a 5 yard run up the middle. The PAT was blocked but the Tigers had a commanding lead 42-21 with 5 minutes to play.

            Sumiton Christian added a late score and two point conversion to make the final score 42-29. The Tigers came through the game without any injuries. Also, the Tigers got back Drew Collins from among the injured and will have senior Jason Edmondson ready for action this week as they travel to Greene County in another key region game.