Tattnall Square storms from behind to top FPD

The Tattnall Square Trojans overcame a 10-point halftime to defeat FPD 38-29 on Friday night.

The Trojans were held to 80 yards of offense in the first half but ran for 201 yards in the second half to get a key GHSA Region 7A-1A win. Tattnall improves to 8-0, while FPD drops to 6-3 with its third straight loss.

Four who mattered

Ahmad Barron: The senior running back muffed a punt in the first quarter that led to three points for FPD and also dropped a touchdown pass in the end zone later in the game. But after being held to 38 yards rushing in the first half, Barron exploded for 138 yards and two touchdowns in the second half. His 47-yard run early in the fourth quarter gave Tattnall a 31-23 lead, and after FPD answered to make it 31-29, Barron took over again, getting the ball five straight plays before he scored from 21 yards out to ice the game.

Antoine Davis: The sophomore running back had only 15 yards in the first half but took the second half kickoff 85 yards for a touchdown, a play that sparked Tattnall’s comeback. He ended the game with 58 yards on the ground.

CJ Harris: Harris led the dominant first half by FPD by running for 85 yards and a touchdown and ended the game with 108 yards.

Dalton Cox: The junior quarterback for FPD threw for 140 yards and two scores and also had a rushing touchdown. His 36-yard strike to Titus Moore in the fourth quarter made it a 31-29 game, but FPD just missed the two-point conversion that could have tied the game.

Turning point

FPD went into the half with all of the momentum, but Davis’ kickoff return changed that. FPD fumbled and failed to convert a fourth-and-1 on its own side of the field and that led to 10 more quick points, which turned the game around.

Observation

Great effort: FPD was not the same team it was a week ago against Stratford. The Vikings worked to establish the run in the first half, and it worked out perfectly, and they were able to keep Tattnall off the field for much of the first half. Cox got going in the third quarte, and ended up going 11-for-16 passing with two touchdowns.

They said it

Tattnall head coach Chance Jones on the first half: “I would say that they beat us around pretty good, and they proved that they are an excellent football team. We didn’t go into halftime yelling or screaming, but we knew that we had not played up to our capabilities. The kickoff return was a big play for us, and I thought we played a much better second half.”

Jones on the importance of playing tough competition: “Oh, I don’t think there is any doubt that this game will help us down the road. We have not been tested a whole lot this year, and to come back and get a win was huge for this football team.”

Barron on his turnaround after early miscues: “I was mad at myself, but I also knew that the defense would come through when they needed to. I just had to keep working hard and believe that something good would happen.”

Barron on his five straight carries the last time Tattnall had the ball: “I knew I was going to get the ball, and they knew I was going to get the ball, but the offensive line did a great job of getting space for me to run. We knew that FPD was a very good football team.”

FPD head coach Greg Moore on his team’s first half and the effort throughout the game: “That may have been the best first half we have played this year. We played like that against Hawkinsville early, but Tattnall is a very good football team, and we played excellent football. We had a chance to win the game late, and I am very proud of the effort we gave the entire night.”

What’s next?

Tattnall (8-0) goes on the road next week to play Stratford, while FPD (6-3) plays at Mount de Sales.

This story was originally published October 21, 2016 at 11:02 PM with the headline "Tattnall Square storms from behind to top FPD."