ARLEY, Ala. — Cold Springs traveled to Arley to take on Meek in the season opener for both teams Friday night and behind a strong running game and a stout defense, the Tigers rolled to a 40-6 win over the Eagles.
Cold Springs got the ball at the 44-yard line to start out the game, but Meek’s defense held tough as they ended up forcing a turnover on downs. Meek started their opening drive at midfield, and they ran the ball on all nine plays as four different players touched the ball during the series. Ethan Grace finished off the drive with a two-yard run and the Tigers jumped out to a quick 8-0 lead with 5:26 remaining in the opening quarter. The Eagles looked to counter on their next drive, but a costly penalty on third down forced them to punt.
The Tigers stuck to the run game on their second series, and Cam Deaver picked up 10 yards on a huge fourth down to keep the drive alive for Meek. He picked up 31 yards on four straight carries at one point during the series. Matthew Clark, Grace, and Blake Miller helped get the Tigers to the one-yard line before Deaver punched it in on the next play to give Meek a 14-0 lead with 9:47 remaining in the first half.
Cold Springs looked to get something going on its next series. Tucker Philbeck completed a huge pass for 14 yards on third down to keep the drive alive, and Josh Winfrey got another first down for the Eagles as they looked to get on the scoreboard. The Tiger defense, though, stiffened and forced a turnover on downs. Meek, behind their strong running game, quickly got to the nine-yard line, but they fumbled on the next play and Seth Williams recovered the ball. The Tigers went into the locker room with a 14-0 lead.
Lightning struck for Meek to start out the third quarter as Clark found a huge hole on the left side and he took it to the house on the first play as his 64-yard run pushed the Tiger lead to 22-0. Dylan Smith picked up 21 yards on Cold Springs’ second play of the third quarter, but later in the drive, a Philbeck pass got intercepted by Miller. Meek quickly cashed in on the turnover as Deaver scored on a 30-yard run to make it a 28-0 score. Things got from bad to worse for the Eagles as they fumbled on the next possession and the Tigers found the end zone once again as Grace’s 40-yard touchdown run made it 34-0.
Deaver scored the final touchdown of the night for Meek on a two-yard run. Cold Springs avoided the shutout as Winfrey scored on a three-yard run, but it was too little, too late and the Tigers went on to win it over the Eagles 40-6.
Clark led the way for Meek with 166 yards on 15 carries and a touchdown. Grace added 104 yards on nine carries and a pair of touchdowns, while Deaver finished with 93 yards on 15 carries and a trio of touchdowns. The Meek defense forced a pair of Cold Springs turnovers. The Tigers will travel to Winston County next Friday night.
Winfrey finished with 108 yards on 19 carries and a touchdown for Cold Springs and Seth Williams recovered a fumble. The Eagles will head back home next Friday night to take on Holly Pond.
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