The Commerce Tigers (4-3, 0-3) can expect a serious challenge this week when they travel to Athens Academy to take on the undefeated Spartans. After a 4-0 start to the season, the Tigers have dropped their last three straight, while sustaining some crippling injuries.
Commerce has key players out on offense and defense, including quarterback Drew Whitfield (mononucleosis), Quay Little (disciplinary action) and leading tacklers Chance McClure (stingers) and Chase Ledbetter (concussion).
Head coach Marvin Justice agrees that the Tigers will face some serious adversity this Friday.
“It will be tough this week,” said Justice. “We have four key players out. We have had some bad luck and misfortune, but we just have to keep working and get back on track.”
Commerce leads the series with Athens Academy, winning nine of 11 matchups; however, the Spartans came out on top in last year’s contest 21-10.
Justice notes that while Athens Academy’s offense is based out of a pro-I set, the Spartans constantly show different formations. Like many of Commerce’s opponents, the Spartans run a 50-defense, so the Tigers should be well uses to that scheme by now. However, the Athens Academy defense has been a powerhouse all year long, giving up an average of only six points per game.
The undefeated Spartans currently are tied for the top position in the region with George Walton Academy.
As far as preparation goes, Justice says he is sticking to the same basic game plan he has all season.
“The other coaches and I were talking the other day as a staff, and we had heard some grumbling about our calls, but we’ve doing the same things now being 0-3 as we did when we were 4-0,” he said. “We believe in what we are doing. The injuries are tough to deal with. It seems like its one thing after another. But you just have to move on, keep working, and doing the stuff you believe in. “
Prince Avenue Christian Recap
The Commerce Tigers were unable to get any sort of ground game established in a devastating 30-0 loss to Prince Avenue Christian.
The Wolverines jumped out to an early lead when they scored on the very first possession of the game after a 67-yard drive.
Commerce was able to hold Prince to a field goal on the Wolverines’ next possession, but fumbled on the ensuing kickoff, which Prince recovered.
Afterwards, the Wolverines did not let up.
Prince Avenue jumped out to a 24-0 lead in the first half, scoring on every possession.
They scored once more in the third quarter, continuing to hold Commerce to minimal yardage and only two first downs.
The Tigers amassed just 64 yards of total offense, while Prince racked up 375.
Daniel Streetman led the Tiger offense, completing three of six passes for 28 yards.
Chance McClure led the defense with nine tackles.
