The Commerce Tigers are struggling as they dive deeper into region play.
The 19-13 loss to Athens Academy last Friday night leaves the Tigers 1-4 overall and 0-1 in region play, going into Friday’s homecoming game against Athens Christian.
The game starts at 8 p.m.
Fortunately for the Tigers, they’ve been perfect against Athens Christian. In 2002, Commerce blanked Athens Christian 54-0 followed by a 2003 win 44-7. The bad news for 2008 is that the Eagles are 3-3 overall and 1-1 in the region.
Athens Christian is averaging 21.2 points per game compared to the Tigers’ 13.2. The Eagles have allowed more total points per game, 145 versus Commerce’s 139, but Athens Christian’s 41-34 win over Prince Avenue places the team in the number three spot for region 8-A. Commerce sits four spots behind after its first region loss to Athens Academy.
Spartan Victory
Athens Academy Spartans got on the board five and a half minutes into the first quarter.
The Spartan’s 7-0 lead was cut to four points after a 30-yard field goal with three minutes left.
Second quarter opened with the Spartans scoring immediately but missing the extra point, extending the lead to 13-3. While Athens Academy was looking for an easy win, the Tiger defense got into the fight.
A late 22-yard field goal cut the Athens’ lead down to 13-6 as the first half ended.
The Tiger offense finally had a chance to shine as a long touchdown run and subsequent field goal tied the score 13-13 with 5:25 left in the game. Athens Academy responded with a touchdown of its own two minutes later, going up, 19-13. With just over two minutes left in the game, the Tiger offense clawed its way into scoring position but was cut short, time and again, by Athens Academy.
