In what proved to be the perfect game plan to defeat the high-octane DeKalb County Tigers’ football team, the Livingston Academy Wildcats ran away from the Tigers for a 35-13 win.
The win for the Wildcats (9-1, 6-0) gave the district 8-AA title to Livingston Academy for the first time in 20 years. Controlling the line-of-scrimmage, LA rushed the football 49 times for 349 yards.
Quarterback Brock McCoin rushed for 215 yards on 20 carries and scored each of LA’s five touchdowns. Running back Creed Hayes added 129 yards on 25 carries.
The Wildcats jumped out to a 14-0 lead after McCoin’s touchdown runs of four and nine yards.
The Tigers (9-1, 5-1) would slice the game in half at the 37-second mark of the second quarter when quarterback Lucas Phillips connected with receiver Will Molander on a 5-yard pass.
As the Tigers headed into the halftime break, they looked as if they had gained some momentum.
Taking the second half kick-off, the Tigers marched down the field and four plays later a questionable ruled fumble gave the Wildcats possession of the football on their own 13-yard line. Twelve runs and one pass play later, the Wildcats once again went up by 14 points when McCoin weaved his way into the end zone for the third time of the night.
After a DeKalb three-and-out offensive series, LA’s McCoin would strike again, this time for a 43-yard sprint to the end zone, giving the Wildcats a 21-point lead.
With 8:31 remaining in the fourth quarter, Tigers’ running back Chris Chapman caught an 11-yard touchdown pass from Phillips. After a failed PAT by DeKalb, the Wildcats still led 28-13.
Any momentum that the Tigers may have gained, the Wildcats’ Brock McCoin took right back just two plays into LA’s ensuing possession when he bolted for an impressive 61-yard run that closed the door on a comeback by the Tigers.
DeKalb’s high-powered offense could only gain 269 total yards against the stingy Wildcat defense.
The Tiger team was escorted back into Smithville from the county line by the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department and other area emergency personel. Once in Smithville, they were welcomed by fans on the side of the road and at the high school. Fans and players celebrated their awesome 9-1 season.
The Tigers will try and bounce back Friday as they host the Sequoyah Chiefs in the first round of the TSSAA State play-offs. Kick-off is set for 7 p.m. at John L. VanHooser Stadium. TIGER PRIDE!