Tigers rally to clip Oneonta

FAYETTE | The Fayette County Tigers rose to the occasion and staged a late, dramatic comeback Friday night against the Oneonta Redskins (8-3) for a 32-27 victory in the first round of the Class 4A playoffs.

A big factor in the Tigers comeback was Tim Walker, who accounted for 128 total yards and four touchdowns for Fayette County.

Trailing 27-20 halfway through the fourth quarter, the Tigers (8-3) moved to ball down to the Redskins’ 6-yard line after a 47-yard reception by Tucker Trice and a 10-yard rush by Evan Sims.

Walker broke a run to left side of the field and dove over two Oneonta players on his way into the end zone to put the Tigers within one point of tying the game.

Fayette County coach Waldon Tucker opted to go for two points and the lead. The two-point attempt failed and the Tigers trailed 27-26 with 6:57 left in the game.

“We felt like they were so strong that we didn’t know how (the game) would go,” said Tucker. “We felt like if we could get ahead of them, we could force them to do some things they didn’t want to do.

“Obviously it didn’t work, but our kids sucked it up and came out and got the stop. We were able to move the football and make some catches and got the score.”

The Tigers’ defense stepped up on the following possession and also caught a lucky break when Oneonta quarterback Travis Hawkins overthrew a wide open receiver on third-and-seven from his team’s own 15.

After forcing a three-and-out, the Tigers took over from the Oneonta 44-yard line with 5:16 left.

Just one play and 10 seconds later, the Tigers took the lead when Sims hit Walker for a 44-yard pass to lift Fayette County to a 32-27 lead.

“I saw (the ball) in the air and I went up to get it,” said Walker of his touchdown reception from between two defenders. “I’m just glad that I could help my team win.”

The Tigers’ defense once again stepped up and finalized the victory when freshman Marcellus Redmond picked off a Hawkins’ pass.

Sims finished 23-for-34 for 296 yards and threw touchdowns of 10, 8 and 44 yards. Cameron Poe-Mitchell caught seven passes for 91 yards, including a 10-yard touchdown reception. Trice had eight receptions for 122 yards.

Felix Caine and Jamille Hicks each recorded nine tackles and Joe Smith had five tackles and an interception for the Tigers.

Next week the Tigers will travel to play No. 1 Cherokee County (11-0) for the second year in a row.

“They’re a very powerful football team and the best one in the state in my opinion,” Tucker said.