Tigers show grit in loss on road
Darlington has strong finish against powerhouse in season opener
CHRISTIAN ACADEMY-KNOXVILLE 42, DARLINGTON 23
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — The Darlington Tigers had a choice to make at halftime of Saturday night’s game: They could either fold up or fight back.
The Tigers chose the second option.
Facing the explosive Christian Academy of Knoxville Warriors in their season opener, Darlington trailed by four touchdowns at the half but played resolutely in the second half during an eventual 42-23 loss to Tennessee’s defending Class AAA champs.
“I told the kids in the locker room that the second half might be the most important half of football we play all season,” said Darlington coach Tommy Atha. “We really challenged the kids, and said it was a turning point in our season (in regard to how we responded).”
The Darlington defense forced four turnovers in the second half — three fumbles and an interception — and the Tigers offense moved the ball effectively, scoring a pair of TDs and a two-point conversion.
That was a big turnaround from the first half, when Christian Academy scored on all five of its possessions and owned a 35-9 lead.
“They’re legit,” said Atha, “and they were a well-oiled machine in the first half. They are really big up front and they did a good job protecting (their QB). ... But our kids got more physical in the second half, and that was good to see.”
Darlington finished with 401 yards of offense, including 204 on the ground.
Christian Academy compiled 560 total yards.
The team’s star receiver Josh Smith, who has committed to Tennessee, suffered a broken collarbone in the third quarter.
Quarterback Charlie High had a big night, passing for 303 yards in the first half. He finished 33of-42 for 438 yards with two short touchdown passes to Franklin Murchison.
For Darlington, quarterback Brad Butler threw a pair of touchdown passes — a 38- yarder to Robert Muschamp on the first play of the second quarter, and a 31-yarder to David Grindstaff on the opening drive of the third quarter.
Harold Antor also had a two- yard touchdown for the Tigers, who play Cartersville next week.
“We feel pretty good about our second half,” said Atha. “We would have loved to have won the football game, but we grew up some tonight, and that’s big.”