Darlington goes undefeated for first time in 17 years

Throughout the season, Region 7-AA coaches commented on the region being more physical than ever. And with the region title on the line, Darlington won in the most physical way possible.

The Tigers defense came up with big stops throughout the night, and junior Elijah McKoy rushed for 120 yards and caught a game-sealing interception as Darlington defeated Chattooga, 14-6, for the Region 7-AA title. The win completes the Tigers’ first 10-0 regular season since 1998.

“We knew coming in this was going to be a war,” Darlington coach Tommy Atha said. “We know how good a football team Chattooga has, how physical they are on both sides of the ball. So we knew we were going to have to play a four-quarter game.”

With the region title, Darlington (10-0, 6-0) will host its first round game of the state playoffs against the No. 4 team in Region 6-AA. That region currently has three teams tied for second, and the final order will be determined today via coin toss.

Chattooga (7-3, 4-2) settles into the No. 3 spot in the region, and will also find out its opponent courtesy of the coin toss today.

The game featured only 18 combined passing yards and a mere six drives for each squad. The game was decided between the blockers, and McKoy and company edged Chattooga’s Isaac and Isaiah Foster by the slimmest of margins.

Atha couldn’t say enough about McKoy, who was starting for only the second time after sophomore Tijai Whatley got injured two weeks ago. McKoy recorded 106 of his 112 yards in the second half, and accounted for more than half of Darlington’s total offense.

Atha was an assistant the last time Darlington had a 100 season, when the Tigers won the state title while still playing in Class A. And as the team approaches a whole new season, the team will prepare like it has all week long.