Tigers outlast Big Sandy, 28-21, on homecoming night

Linden-Kildare celebrated homecoming with a solid 28-21 win over Big Sandy last Friday evening.

The Tigers kept its playoff hopes alive with the win and if it wins one of its final two games the Tigers are a lock.

If L-K can win both contests it will finish in third place overall.

Before the game Sydney Hampton and Maleki Castleberry were crowned Homecoming Queen and King.

First Quarter

The Tigers won the coin toss and elected to receive the ball to open the game.

After the kickoff the Tigers began its drive from the 32-yard line.

Quarterback Jonathan Owen opened things up with a 2-yard run followed by a short run by fullback Tae’shun Mitchell.

Jay Birmingham took the ball 14 yards to midfield and gave L-K first down status, but a tough stand by the Wildcats put the Tigers at fourth-and-eight just a few plays later.

An incomplete pass turned the ball over to Big Sandy at its own 48.

L-K’s defense forced a quick three-and-out but on the punt the ball was bobbled and Big Sandy fell on the loose ball.

With great field position at the L-K 19, Big Sandy picked up six yards to pull within 13 yards of the endzone.

On the second play of the drive, a Big Sandy ball carrier was tackled in the backfield for a loss but before he was completely brought down by a host of Tigers he attempted to lateral the ball.

The ball went errant and L-K fell on it.

With new life the Tigers began a 13 play drive that ended up eating 6:50 off of the clock.

Working from the 21, Owen picked up 21 yards on the drive, Mitchell added eight and Birmingham gained 60 all on the ground.

One holding penalty blemished a near-perfect run to the endzone.

Birmingham bolted for 32 yards and Owen for six as time expired on the opening quarter.

Second Quarter

Two plays into the second frame and Birmingham bolted into the endzone for the game’s first score.

He also ran in the 2-point try and L-K was up 8-0 with 11:14 left in the first half.

Big Sandy gifted the Tigers the ball back on its next drive as the Wildcats fumbled on a nice run play.

The Tigers went three-and-out but a nice 46-yard punt by Owen put the Wildcats at its own 15.

From that point Big Sandy drove 85 yards in nine plays for its first score of the game.

The PAT was successful and the lead was cut to 8-7 with 3:50 left on the clock.

L-K’s next drive was all Birmingham as he accumulated 25 yards on the ground, but an incomplete pass on fourth down ended the drive with 50 seconds left in the second stanza.

The quarter ended with Big Sandy running the ball.

Third Quarter

Big Sandy received the ball to kick off the second half of play, but a quick three-and-out gave L-k the ball.

The punt pinned L-K at the 5-yard line but the Tigers marched 95 yards in 12 plays for another score.

On the drive Mitchell picked up 11 yards, Owen five and Owen hit Mitchell on an 8-yard pass play.

Birmingham notched 66 yards on the drive including a 26-yard TD run. Great blocking by Mitchell, Max Belford and

Great blocking by Mitchell, Max Belford and Jayden Pardon allowed Birmingham an easier route to the goal line.

The PAT was blocked but L-K increased its lead to 14-7 with 2:40 left in the third quarter.

Big Sandy had the ball at the L-K 48 as time expired.

Fourth Quarter

Five plays into the final quarter Big Sandy turned the ball over on downs with 9:10 left in the game.

Birmingham had two runs on the Tigers’ next drive of 26 and 36 with the latter being a TD

The PAT was no good but L-K was up 20-7 with 7:49 left in the game.

Big Sandy scored on its next drive to bring the score to 20-14.

L-K wasn’t finished just yet as Birmingham rolled up runs of 60 and 19 with the latter being another score.

The 2-point try was good and L-K was up 28-14 with 5:54 left on the clock.

Big Sandy added a touchdown pass as time expired to make it look closer than it actually was.

Birmingham racked up 304 yards rushing with four touchdowns, Owen added 30 and Mitchell had 14.

Birmingham reached the 1,000-yard rushing mark in the game and has two left to play.

The Tigers travel to Frankston this week to take on the Indians. The game is set for 7:30 p.m. Thursday night.