So far, the Bulldogs have scored 302 points in the season, a 37.8 per-game average, while the Tigers have scored 199, a 24.9 per-game average. Commerce has allowed 201 points, a per-game average of 25.1, while George Walton has allowed 83 points or 10.4 per game.
Both teams have one region loss this season, and both lost to the same opponent – number one ranked Athens Academy. George Walton’s loss came in overtime in a game that easily could have gone either way.
“I really believe George Walton may have the best people,” said CHS head football coach Steve Savage.“They’re big. They’ve got two tackles that are about 290 pounds apiece. They move real well. The rest of them are big too, those two just stand out because they’re so much bigger than anybody else.
“They’ve got two backs that run really well. One of them reminds me a lot of Deon Osborne with the way he runs. They do a really good job, and they play sound on defense. They’re so big, you’re not going to move them far.
“It will be more than a good test,” Savage added. “They may have the best team on the hoof in the region.”
It will be the first meeting of the two teams. It will also mark the last regular season home game for Savage, who will retire at the end of the season.
Kick off is at 8 p.m.
Prince Avenue
The Tigers knew they had to strike early to try to get an advantage over a strong Prince Avenue team.
They did just that, with a seven-play, 65-yard drive following the opening kickoff that culminated in Jessie Savage running the ball in from 24 yards out to put the first points of the game on the board for Commerce. A wide extra point kick left the score at 6-0.
The Wolverines responded by getting their first points on their initial drive, scoring from 33-yards out. A wide kick on the PAT left the score tied 6-6.
The Tigers, who scored on every possession in the first three quarters, retook the lead in the second quarter, as quarterback Josh Streetman crossed the goal line from two yards out on a keeper after Commerce covered 61-yards in 11 plays. With the successful extra point, Commerce enjoyed a 13-6 advantage.
Prince Avenue fumbled the ball on its own 49-yard line on its next possession, setting up another Tiger score. Six plays later, Streetman scampered into the end zone from eight yards out, making it a 20-6, Commerce after the PAT.
Prince Avenue closed the gap t0 20-13 on a one-yard plunge, only to see Terrick Ramsey return the ensuing kickoff 84 yards for a TD. A two-point conversion put Commerce up 28-13 lead at the half.
The Wolverines opened the second half with a 65-yard scoring drive on three plays, ending in a touchdown from 11-yards out to make it 28-20.
Commerce put the game away with its next possession, as Streetman scored from four yards out after moving 56 yards in 11 plays to make it 35-20. That’s where the score was at the final buzzer.
For more on this story, see Wednesday's edition of The Commerce News.
