Foster scores twice; Griffin’s interception seals win

ROSSVILLE — Isaiah Foster scored two touchdowns just 26 seconds apart in the fourth quarter, but the Chattooga Indians still needed a interception return by Tyler Griffin to seal a 21-13 victory over Ridgeland Friday night at Bowers and Painter Field in Rossville.

Foster was the workhorse with 198 yards on 34 carries, while quarterback Isaac Foster chipped in with 62 yards on a dozen attempts.

The game remained scoreless until the second play of the fourth quarter when Foster carried it in from five yards out. Tyler Bledsoe added the point after.

Then on the ensuing kickoff, the Panthers fumbled it back to the Indians at the Ridgeland 22. A 14-yard keeper by Isaac Foster set up his brother’s 8-yard scamper. Bledsoe missed the PAT, but Chattooga had a 13-0 lead with 10:56 to play.

A kick return to midlfield by Markeion Jones set up Ridgeland’s answer as a quick six-play march was capped by a 3-yard Jalyn Shelton run. Ivan Ojeda’s PAT cut the Chattooga lead to 13-7.

Ridgeland’s defense forced a three-andout, but on the first play after the punt, Griffin picked off an Ivy Boehm pass near midfield and took it in for the pick-six. Isaac Foster added the conversion run. Ridgeland came right back down the field, driving 70 yards in 10 plays before Shelton scored his second touchdown on a 24-yard run. The PAT was blocked, however, keeping the deficit at eight points.

The Panthers’ offense, however, would not get the ball back as Isaac Foster converted a third-and-2 run from the 50 to pick up the game-sealing first down with just over a minute to play.

Chattooga finished with 269 yards on 49 carries, all but three coming on the legs of the Foster brothers. Isaac Foster was 1-of-7 in the air for 14 yards.

Ridgeland was more balanced with 38 rushes for 159 yards and 104 yards passing on 7-of-17 attempts. Shelton had 138 yards on 28 carries, while Boehm was 6-of-10 for 90 yards and was intercepted twice, once on a deflection. Jones led the receivers with two grabs for 45 yards.

Chattooga (1-0) will host North Murray next week, while Ridgeland (0-2) is idle.