Tigers win homecoming game 45-6 Friday night

BRILLIANT — The Brilliant High School Tigers won their homecoming game 45-6 against the visiting Sumiton Christian Eagles on Friday night, Sept. 22.
The game opened with the Tigers receiving the kickoff and returned it to about their own 45-yard line. After an incomplete pass on first down, Quarterback Brooks McLemore kept the ball and made it to the opposing 45 for the first down.
The Tigers kept up the pressure and made it to the Eagles’ 30-yard line. Two runs from Zay Blackburn put the Tigers in good position to score at the 2-yard line, and Blackburn got the touchdown on the next play.
The Tigers’ next touchdown came in the second quarter. The Tigers had taken over on downs in the first quarter. McLemore and Blackburn, along with Brooks Armstrong and Jerry Lothrop, kept the Tigers’ moving forward consistently to within the 20-yard line.
On first and goal from the 7-yard line, Lothrop ran for the touchdown. This time, the extra point was good, and the Tigers were leading 13-0.
The Tigers’ defense locked down the Eagles once again and took over on downs on their own 43-yard line. Once again, Brilliant’s offense made consistent forward progress, and the Tigers scored another touchdown in the first half to widen their lead to 20-0.
For the third time in a row, the Tigers held the line against the Eagles and took over on downs again.
McLemore and Blackburn made several big rushes that put the Tigers back in the Eagles’ territory, and a pass to Armstrong gave the Tigers another touchdown.
The Tigers’ defense brought an end to the first half with an interception, and kicked off to open the second half.
The Eagles struggled to gain yards and opted to punt on fourth down. The Tigers ended up first and 10 on the Eagles’ 36-yard line.
McLemore kept the ball and juked his way through the Eagles’ defense, making it up to the 14-yard line before getting wrapped up and taken down. Blackburn ran and fell just shy of the first down, but McLemore was able to get it on the next play and then some.
From the 1-yard line, Armstrong made it over the goal line for another Brilliant touchdown. The extra point was blocked, but the Tigers were still leading 32-0 with 6:27 left in the third quarter.
The Eagles’ next drive gained a few yards, but would be cut short thanks to an interception by Lothrop.
The Tigers’ next possession would be their first to end in a punt during the game, and the Eagles would take that opportunity to score their sole touchdown of the night. On second and long, Sumiton Christian’s Kannen Defoor was wide open down field and scored to put the Eagles on the scoreboard 32-6.
The Tigers scored again early in the fourth quarter when, on first and goal, McLemore found himself in trouble but scrambled to salvage the play for a touchdown.
From the Eagles’ 28 yard line, the Tigers started their final possession of the night with Wes Woodard stepping in as quarterback.
Taylen Odom made a few runs to gain some yards for the Tigers, and Woodard ran for the first down. From the Eagles’ 10-yard line, Woodard kept the snap and ran left to score the final touchdown of the night.
With the clock running, the Tigers took their time kicking off after the touchdown, and the clock ran out before they did, giving the Tigers a 45-6 victory on homecoming.
McLemore went 7 / 13 in passing with one passing touchdown. He also racked up 141 rushing yards and two touchdowns. He also added an interception to the list while on defense.
Armstrong gained 108 total yards and score two touchdowns. He also made four tackles on defense.
Blackburn rushed for 58 yards and one touchdown. Lothrop rushed for 50 yards and scored one touchdown.
On defense, Lothrop made four tackles and nabbed a defensive interception.
Wes Woodard scored one rushing touchdown, Kason Pool made six tackles and two sacks and Jaeden Lipsey made four tackles and one broke up a pass.
This Friday, the Tigers will travel to Bear Creek to play the Phillips High School Bears.