Tigers fall to Ore City, 13-7, in season opener

Linden-Kildare hosted Ore City last Friday night as most teams across the state opened its football season.

The game was a low scoring affair as Ore City ended up winning the game 13-7.

First Quarter

L-K started out the game on defense and forced the Rebels into a quick 4-and-out.

Jakyric Nard picked up six yards on the ground before he hit Charlie Kirkland for a first down.

A holding call set the Tigers back on the drive and L-K turned the ball over on downs a few plays later.

The first quarter ended with Ore City facing third down.

Second Quarter

Max Belford made an outstanding tackle for a loss as the second quarter got underway.

L-K forced a turnover on the next play and Asher Wells took the ball eight yards on the first snap.

Unfortunately, the drive stalled for the Tigers and Ore City made the best of its next drive.

With the ball on the Tiger 45, Ore City overcame a huge 10-yard loss and two third downs as the Rebels drove the ball into the endzone at the 3:46 mark.

The point after made the score 7-0. L-K punted the ball away after a quick three-andout but big stops by Kirkland, Evan Mitchell and Jacorey Birmingham kept Ore City from advancing too far.

The half ended with Ore City up 7-0.

Third Quarter

Ore City struck paydirt again at the 7:42 mark as the Rebels scored a touchdown on fourth down.

The PAT was no good but Ore City had a 13-0 lead. L-K’s next drive looked promising after a huge 50-yard pass play from Nard to Wells, but the Tigers weren’t able to capitalize on the good field position.

Fourth Quarter

Kirkland scored for L-K at the 8:04 mark just after Belford forced a fumble the play before on defense.

The PAT was good and the Tigers were on the board at 13-7.

L-K’s defense stood tall on the next Ore City drive and forced a four-and-out with 4:28 left in the contest.

The Tigers were primed for a game-winning drive and after a couple of passes from Nard to Mitchell and Wells, the Tigers were within sight of the goal line.

Nard made a big run to the 19, followed by an 8-yard pass from Nard to Mitchell.

Eventually L-K was within half-a-yard and facing fourth down.

Ore City stopped L-K from scoring and forced a turnover with just over a minute left in the game.

From there the Rebels ran out the clock. Mitchell accumulated 32 rushing yards, Nard passed was 13-of-20 with 114 passing yards and Kirkland had three catches for 78 yards.

The Tigers host Alba-Golden this Friday night with kickoff slated for 7:30 p.m.