ADDISON, Ala. – Addison hosted the Meek Tigers for what was for all intents and purposes a battle for second place in 1A Region 8. Both schools have already lost to region leader, Hackleburg, this season and this game should decide who finishes second and hosts a first-round playoff game. In an ugly offensive game, Addison prevailed on the strength of two big plays from its offense to come away with a tough, 12-0 victory.
Addison kicked off and the Tigers began their drive at their own 39-yard line. Meek was led by diminutive quarterback freshman Evan McCay who is listed at the whopping size of 5’5″ and 125lbs. Don’t let his size fool you, this kid can play. He quickly became one of my favorite players. Meek moved the ball down to the Addison 35-yard line, using a mixture of Mr. Meek Tiger Cam Deaver runs and McCay passes. Deaver had 23 yards on the drive, but the Tigers were stopped on 4th and 8 from the Dawg 35 when a McCay pass fell incomplete.
Addison took over and ran three plays for 7 yards and were forced to punt. The Bulldog offense was foreshadowing how it would play the entire first half, as they could get nothing going on the Tiger defense in the first 24 minutes.
Meek took over at their own 4-yard line after a Jed Wilkins 54-yard punt. QB McCay found Jacob Smith wide open for a big 34-yard completion on 3rd and 10 to bring the ball down to the Addison 46-yard line. The Dawg Pound Defense stiffened and forced a punt. The Bulldogs were able to partially block the punt and take over the ball at Midfield.
This is where one of the most unusual things I have seen in recent years occurred. Addison’s Luker ran for 8-yards on first down to make it 2nd and 2 at the Tiger 42-yard line as the first quarter ended. The officials, to start the second quarter misplaced the chains and instead of correctly showing 2nd and 2, Addison was showing, by the chains, to have 2nd and 4 to go. No amount of complaining from Addison’s coaching staff or instructions from the home fans changed the official’s minds. On the very next play, Luker ran for 2 yards which would have resulted in a Bulldog first down, instead it made it 3rd and 2. The Tigers held Addison for negative yardage on the next two plays to take over possession of the football and stall the Bulldog momentum.
The remainder of the 2nd quarter was played out as both defenses kept their opponent’s offenses in check. The closest anyone came to scoring was Meek had a drive where they got down to the Addison 34, but the drive stalled due to penalties. The half ended with both teams still scoreless.
Addison struck quickly in the third quarter. Starting at their own 15-yard line, Wilkins ran around right end and cut back to the middle and didn’t stop running until he was in the endzone 85-yards later. The Addison touchdown came at the 11:34 mark of the 3rd quarter and after the two-point conversion was no good, Addison led 6-0.
Meek’s next possession started off well as Deaver had runs of 4, 5 and 4 yards to give the Tigers a first down at the Tiger 47. McCay dropped back and tried to hit a receiver down the visitor sideline, but Kayden Dyson made a diving interception of the McCay pass. It really was an excellent catch by Dyson.
Meek’s tough defense held the Dawgs and forced a punt. One Meek’s first play, Addison’s Jordan Hubbert forced a fumble from the Tiger ballcarrier, and the ball was recovered by Addison’s Elijah Roberts at the Tiger 38-yard line.
Once again, Addison’s defense had set the offense up, but the Tiger defense stepped back up and forced another Bulldog punt.
Meek’s next drive showed promise, but several penalties stalled any momentum that the Tigers could muster and after 8 plays Meek was forced to punt.
Meek’s next possession, after a Dawg punt, got down to the Addison 45-yard line but Addison stepped up and young Roberts picked off the Tiger pass.
Addison could do nothing with the turnover and punted again.
With 6:42 to go in the game, Meek took over at their own 30-yard line. On 3rd and 8 from their own 32, McCay found Hayden Smith for 14 yards and a first down. McCay harnessed his best Kyler Murray as the little guy scrambled all over the field and finally found Smith for the completion. Later in the drive, Meek was facing a 4th and a long 4 at the Bulldog 48-yard line when McCay dropped back to pass but a heavy Bulldog pass rush forced McCay to run, and the little man ducked his head and was plastered by several Bulldog defenders. When the play was over, the Tigers had a first down. The Addison defense rose to the occasion again and forced a 4th and 20 from the Tiger 47. This time, McCay got drilled just as released the ball by Bulldog Caleb Vintson forcing the ball to be incomplete.
Addison took over at the Tiger 47-yard line with 2:09 to go in the game. On Addison’s second play of the drive, Mr. Jed “Wizard” Wilkins struck again. Wilkins galloped 47 yards for the game sealing touchdown to give Addison the two-touchdown lead. The two-point was no good and with only 1:12 to go in the contest, Addison stretched their lead to 12-0.
The game ended with Addison’s Dyson picking off his second pass of the night.
Addison took the hard-fought win 12-0. Addison moves to 5-2 (4-1 region) and is off next week. Meek drops to 3-3 (2-2 region) and will travel to Shoals Christian for a huge region matchup for the Tigers.
Unofficial stats
Addison ran 25 rushing plays for 178 total yards. Addison ran 7 passing plays for -2 total yards. Addison had 32 total plays for 176 total yards. Meek ran 32 rushing plays for 87 total yards. Meek ran 29 passing plays for 116 total yards. Meek ran 61 total plays for 203 total yards.
Addison’s Wilkins went 2 out of 4 for -2 yards. Meeks McCay went 12-29 for 116 yards with 3 interceptions.
Addison was led in rushing by Wilkins who had 10 carries for 141 yards and two touchdowns. Braden Luker had 13 carries for 38 yards. Meek had Deaver with 19 carries for 50 yards. McCay had 7 carries for 34 yards.
Addison had Luker with 2 catches for 0 yards. Meek had Jacob Smith with 3 catches for 73 yards. Justin Freeman had 3 grabs for 18 yards. Smith had 2 catches for 22 yards.
Addison defensively was led by Hubbert and Roberts with 6 tackles each. Dyson, Isaiah Treece, Hayden Holland and Casen Hill had 5 tackles each. Bradley Willette and Caleb Vintson had 4 each. Lane Stewart and Bobby Williams had 3 each. Dyson had 2 interceptions while Roberts had 1. Roberts also recovered a fumble.
Meek was led by Freeman, Carson Davenport and Braxton Dickerson had 4 tackles each. Riley Thompson had 3 tackles. Mason Powe and Jordan Phillips had 2 each.
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