‘Commerce Back’: Tigers are off to their first 4-0 start since 2006, heading into a region 8-A matchup with George Walton Academy
After an against-all-odds comeback last week against Rabun County, the Commerce Tigers advanced to 4-0 heading into their first region 8-A matchup of the year.
The Tigers will travel to George Walton Academy on Friday to face the 3-1 Bulldogs.
Commerce head coach Marvin Justice expects the Bulldogs to be a true test for his 4-0 Tigers.
“This is the third straight year we have played them and they are typical George Walton,” said Justice. “They’re enormous – the biggest team we will play all year bar none. They have speed in the backfield with the Appalachee transfer, Stanley Williams, who is incredibly fast.”
Williams has been regarded by scouts as one of the top backs in the nation and has already committed to the University of Georgia Bulldogs.
Commerce has lost its only two games with George Walton Academy, most recently losing 24-14 in the 2011 contest.
“They are massive, have good team speed and are well coached,” added Justice. “It should be a good challenge for our first region game of the year.
George Walton Academy is the first of six consecutive games against region 8-A opponents, which are all private schools.
Kickoff will be at 7:30 p.m. on Friday at Keith Henderson Stadium in Monroe.
Rabun County Recap
Click for photos.
“All for Chip, All for Chip,” Commerce fans, students and players alike chanted (referring to coach Chip McClure, who passed away earlier in the season) as the Tigers drove down the field, trailing by two scores late in the fourth quarter.
After a miraculous turn of events, Commerce scored twice in the waning minutes of the game to defeat Rabun County (2-1) 18-17.
The first quarter started off sluggishly for the Tigers.
Rabun broke a huge run to get into Tiger territory on its opening drive, but after failing to convert a third down, the Wildcats settled for a field goal.
After a Commerce punt, Rabun receiver Devin Horner turned a short pass from quarterback Wes Holcomb into a 40-yard touchdown, putting the Wildcats up 10-0.
Commerce answered with a long drive, with Terrick Ramsey rushing in a 2-yard touchdown for the Tigers following a 14-play, 85-yard drive. The extra-point attempt went wide left, leaving Rabun with a 10-6 lead.
Rabun scored again in the second quarter when Holcomb connected with a Rabun receiver for a 21-yard touchdown pass.
The Tigers drove down the field on the ensuing possession, but Commerce quarterback Drew Whitfield was intercepted as time expired in the first half.
The Wildcats were up 17-6 going into the second half.
After a couple of Commerce punts and a missed field goal attempt by Rabun, Commerce got possession of the ball on its own 15-yard line as time wound down in the fourth quarter.
Commerce drove 85-yards in 16 plays, converting several fourth downs and overcoming multiple penalties along the way.
Senior fullback Jamal Browner scored from nine yards out, making it a one-possession ballgame (17-12) with three minutes to go.
After a failed two-point conversion, the Tigers elected to try an onside kick.
“On our second scoring drive, we were at midfield when I looked at the clock and saw that there were seven minutes left. I knew at that point that we were going to have to try for an onside kick,” said Justice. “There wasn’t really much of a choice.”
The stadium shook and cheers rang out as Whitfield dove on the loose ball and recovered the onside kick for the Tigers, allowing the offense to take the field with time ticking away.
After driving 43 yards in nine plays, the Tigers found themselves four yards away from a score with 19 seconds remaining in the game.
Whitfield managed to punch his way in on the ground, putting the Tigers up for the first time all game, 18-17.
“We aren’t a team that is built for throwing the ball a lot,” said Justice. “(Rabun) was playing very tough. We were down there wondering if we were going to have enough time to get two scores. It was awfully close, but we were able to get those two scores.”
Rabun tried to throw the deep ball in a last-ditch effort, but Commerce defender Trey Grier sacked Holcomb as time expired and a jubilant Commerce community rushed the field.
“It all worked out,” added Justice. “We’ve been living on the edge – making mistakes and penalties, but we are 4-0. Our kids never did quit and I am really proud of them.”
When asked what was going through his head in those last few minutes of the game, senior Tiger Clay Pritchett replied, “There at the end, I think my heart just stopped. After recovering that onside, we all just lost it. Everyone on the team stepped up and we came back. We did it with great running and great blocking.”
Justice noted that Whitfield had a particularly good game. Whitfield had 98 yards rushing on 22 carries and recovered the onside kick.
“We practice hard, but this is much harder,” said Whitfield. “Our offensive line did an amazing job. They really stepped up and pushed (Rabun) down the field on those last drives.”
Justice also added that Chance McClure and Chase Ledbetter had exceptionally strong performances on defense.
The Tigers ran 71 plays for 385 total yards of offense. Terrick Ramsey had 113 yards on 16 carries and Ledbetter led the defense with 18 tackles.
Justice certainly did not disregard the impact the fans have had on the team thus far.
“We have the greatest faculty, student body and community in the state,” he said. “I teach three P.E. classes, and yesterday when I called roll, the first thing I said to everyone was that we’ve really appreciated their support – whether you were in the band, a cheerleader or just coming to the game. It can sometimes mean the difference in winning and losing, and it’s just really fun when everyone comes together.”
Commerce head coach Marvin Justice expects the Bulldogs to be a true test for his 4-0 Tigers.
“This is the third straight year we have played them and they are typical George Walton,” said Justice. “They’re enormous – the biggest team we will play all year bar none. They have speed in the backfield with the Appalachee transfer, Stanley Williams, who is incredibly fast.”
Williams has been regarded by scouts as one of the top backs in the nation and has already committed to the University of Georgia Bulldogs.
Commerce has lost its only two games with George Walton Academy, most recently losing 24-14 in the 2011 contest.
“They are massive, have good team speed and are well coached,” added Justice. “It should be a good challenge for our first region game of the year.
George Walton Academy is the first of six consecutive games against region 8-A opponents, which are all private schools.
Kickoff will be at 7:30 p.m. on Friday at Keith Henderson Stadium in Monroe.
Rabun County Recap
Click for photos.
“All for Chip, All for Chip,” Commerce fans, students and players alike chanted (referring to coach Chip McClure, who passed away earlier in the season) as the Tigers drove down the field, trailing by two scores late in the fourth quarter.
After a miraculous turn of events, Commerce scored twice in the waning minutes of the game to defeat Rabun County (2-1) 18-17.
The first quarter started off sluggishly for the Tigers.
Rabun broke a huge run to get into Tiger territory on its opening drive, but after failing to convert a third down, the Wildcats settled for a field goal.
After a Commerce punt, Rabun receiver Devin Horner turned a short pass from quarterback Wes Holcomb into a 40-yard touchdown, putting the Wildcats up 10-0.
Commerce answered with a long drive, with Terrick Ramsey rushing in a 2-yard touchdown for the Tigers following a 14-play, 85-yard drive. The extra-point attempt went wide left, leaving Rabun with a 10-6 lead.
Rabun scored again in the second quarter when Holcomb connected with a Rabun receiver for a 21-yard touchdown pass.
The Tigers drove down the field on the ensuing possession, but Commerce quarterback Drew Whitfield was intercepted as time expired in the first half.
The Wildcats were up 17-6 going into the second half.
After a couple of Commerce punts and a missed field goal attempt by Rabun, Commerce got possession of the ball on its own 15-yard line as time wound down in the fourth quarter.
Commerce drove 85-yards in 16 plays, converting several fourth downs and overcoming multiple penalties along the way.
Senior fullback Jamal Browner scored from nine yards out, making it a one-possession ballgame (17-12) with three minutes to go.
After a failed two-point conversion, the Tigers elected to try an onside kick.
“On our second scoring drive, we were at midfield when I looked at the clock and saw that there were seven minutes left. I knew at that point that we were going to have to try for an onside kick,” said Justice. “There wasn’t really much of a choice.”
The stadium shook and cheers rang out as Whitfield dove on the loose ball and recovered the onside kick for the Tigers, allowing the offense to take the field with time ticking away.
After driving 43 yards in nine plays, the Tigers found themselves four yards away from a score with 19 seconds remaining in the game.
Whitfield managed to punch his way in on the ground, putting the Tigers up for the first time all game, 18-17.
“We aren’t a team that is built for throwing the ball a lot,” said Justice. “(Rabun) was playing very tough. We were down there wondering if we were going to have enough time to get two scores. It was awfully close, but we were able to get those two scores.”
Rabun tried to throw the deep ball in a last-ditch effort, but Commerce defender Trey Grier sacked Holcomb as time expired and a jubilant Commerce community rushed the field.
“It all worked out,” added Justice. “We’ve been living on the edge – making mistakes and penalties, but we are 4-0. Our kids never did quit and I am really proud of them.”
When asked what was going through his head in those last few minutes of the game, senior Tiger Clay Pritchett replied, “There at the end, I think my heart just stopped. After recovering that onside, we all just lost it. Everyone on the team stepped up and we came back. We did it with great running and great blocking.”
Justice noted that Whitfield had a particularly good game. Whitfield had 98 yards rushing on 22 carries and recovered the onside kick.
“We practice hard, but this is much harder,” said Whitfield. “Our offensive line did an amazing job. They really stepped up and pushed (Rabun) down the field on those last drives.”
Justice also added that Chance McClure and Chase Ledbetter had exceptionally strong performances on defense.
The Tigers ran 71 plays for 385 total yards of offense. Terrick Ramsey had 113 yards on 16 carries and Ledbetter led the defense with 18 tackles.
Justice certainly did not disregard the impact the fans have had on the team thus far.
“We have the greatest faculty, student body and community in the state,” he said. “I teach three P.E. classes, and yesterday when I called roll, the first thing I said to everyone was that we’ve really appreciated their support – whether you were in the band, a cheerleader or just coming to the game. It can sometimes mean the difference in winning and losing, and it’s just really fun when everyone comes together.”
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