The Tiger Nation was hoping to send retiring coach Steve Savage out of his final regular season home game in style, but didn’t get a chance to do that Friday night, as the Tigers were shut out by the Bulldogs of George Walton Academy 21-0.
The first quarter was filled with near misses for both teams. After intercepting a Commerce pass just over four minutes in, the Bulldogs appeared to have run in their first touchdown. But a penalty call against George Walton brought the ball back, and the Tiger defense stalled the Bulldogs there.
With just over two minutes left in the quarter, Commerce moved into position for an field goal attempt. That attempt was no good, and the Tigers remained off the board.
The game would remain scoreless in the second quarter, with the only close call coming about halfway through the quarter when George Walton missed on a field goal attempt.
But with under a minute left in the half, the Bulldogs struck, running in their first touchdown of the night to make it a 7-0 lead. It would stay there through the half.
Four minutes into the second half, George Walton would add to their lead, running another touchdown in to make it 14-0.
The Bulldogs would score again just three minutes later, making it a 21-0 advantage. Both teams would go back and forth over the remaining quarter, with George Walton missing on a field goal with just under two minutes left to play.
Commerce took over, but would take a knee to run the clock out, with George Walton taking the 21-0 win.
Commerce will wrap up their regular season on Friday, as they travel to Social Circle to face the Redskins. Kick off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
For more on this story, see the Nov. 3 edition of The Commerce News.