Tigers roar in second half for win at Pepperell

August 23, 2024

The Adairsville Tigers trailed at halftime on Thursday night at Pepperell but controlled the second half in a 31-14 win in Lindale.

Tigers’ quarterback Ethan Long tossed four touchdown passes in the game — two each to Colt Sanford and Tre Winters and Adairsville scored 24 unanswered points in the second half.

The Tigers' opening drive of the night chewed up six minutes off the game clock but was stopped at the Pepperell 30-yard line on a fourth-and-inches play. 

Pepperell converted the turnover on downs into points in just one play.

Madoc Garcia raced 70 yards on first down for a Dragons touchdown. The PAT by Cameron Jones gave Pepperell a 7-0 lead with 6:02 remaining in the first quarter.

Adairsville tied the game on the next possession. A six-play, 69-yard drive culminated with a 41-yard touchdown pass from Long to Sanford. The PAT by Cooper Souders evened the score at 7-7.

Following three-and-out possessions by both teams, Adairsville drove to the Pepperell 6-yard line only to turn the ball over on downs. 

The Dragons responded with a 94-yard touchdown drive to take the lead. On the fifth play of the possession, quarterback Sam Ross connected with Kellen Edeburn on a screen pass that the receiver turned into a 59-yard touchdown. Pepperell’s PAT gave the Dragons a 14-7 lead at halftime.

In the second half, the Tigers’ defense blanked Pepperell.

Meanwhile, Long connected with Winters for a pair of third-quarter touchdowns. He also had a touchdown pass to Sanford in the fourth quarter. 

A 38-yard field goal by Souders in the fourth quarter rounded out the scoring and solidified a 31-14 Adairsville victory.

Pepperell (0-2) plays at Christian Heritage in Dalton next Friday.

Adairsville (2-0) visits Cass on Friday for a 7:30 p.m. kickoff. 

~~ Larry Gardner contributed to this report.