Tattnall stands tall for second time against Stratford
In another classic defensive battle, Tattnall Square was up to the task again.
The Trojans outlasted Stratford for the second time this season, prevailing 13-7 at Jack Baynes Field in the second round of the GHSA Class 1A private school playoffs.
Ahmad Barron’s 22-yard run behind Vasco Sanders’ lead block off-tackle early in the third quarter stood up, as the Tattnall defense kept Stratford off the scoreboard in the second half. The Eagles (8-4) failed to run a play from scrimmage inside the Tattnall 30 all night, getting their only touchdown on a long run late in the first quarter.
Antoine Davis contributed a first-quarter touchdown for Tattnall (11-0), which beat Stratford 7-3 during the regular-season.
Three who mattered
Barron: The speedy senior scored the only touchdown in the first meeting, and his touchdown in Friday’s rematch turned out to be the game-winner, as well. He finished with 109 yards on 19 carries.
Sanders: The Tattnall senior made big plays on both sides of the ball, coming up with some big second-half stops to go along with a strong run-blocking effort on Barron’s touchdown run.
Noah Hill: Stratford’s senior quarterback made a big splash in his final high school football game, breaking free for a 69-yard touchdown run late in the first quarter. He also drove Stratford from its own 15 to the Tattnall 39 in the final four minutes, with the big plays being a 22-yard hook-and-lateral involving Trey Giles and Tyler Jordan and a roughing-the-passer call. But a fourth-down pass to Russell Mole in the final seconds — an apparent attempt to set up another hook-and-lateral — was jarred out of Mole’s hands by a Tattnall defender.
Turning point
Stratford opened the second half on its 6 after an illegal block call on the kickoff. The Eagles went three-and-out, and Tattnall started its first drive of the half on the Stratford 41. Barron scored five plays later, giving Tattnall’s defense all the cushion it needed as it kept the Eagles from penetrating into the red zone.
Observations
Not much running room: Stratford’s offense picked up more than 700 rushing yards in its previous two games combined. Against Tattnall, however, the Eagles were limited to 212 yards, with 69 coming on Hill’s scoring run in which he slipped through a packed defensive front. Tattnall, meanwhile, was held to 55 yards of total offense in the second half and 206 for the game.
Fast game: With all the short runs both teams had, the game lasted a quick two hours and five minutes.
Milestone meeting: The playoff meeting marked the 50th time Tattnall and Stratford have played. Tattnall now leads the series 28-22, improving to 7-3 in postseason games. This was the first time the Macon rivals have met in GHSA postseason play.
They said it
Tattnall head coach Chance Jones: “Our first drive in the first half and our first drive in the second half were our two most productive drives. Other than that, we didn’t get much at all. It was tough going.”
Stratford head coach Mark Farriba: “It was physical. It was very physical. I thought every inch mattered, and I thought both teams played like that.”
Barron on winning two close games against Stratford in one season: “It feels great. They have a great team. They play hard. But we came out on top.”
Barron on the decisive touchdown: “The offensive line, they always start the play up front and always do well. Vasco came by with a good lead block, and it was open.”
Tattnall’s Christian Rodgers on Sanders’ two-way contribution: “Great plays and great playmakers, that’s what we have. We were able to do it (Friday).”
Rodgers on Thanksgiving football practice: “That’s pretty awesome. We haven’t gotten to do that in our four years. We’re excited about that.”
What’s next?
The fifth-seeded Trojans head to No. 4 Calvary Day, a 10-7 winner over Savannah Christian, for Friday’s quarterfinals.
This story was originally published November 18, 2016 at 10:25 PM with the headline "Tattnall stands tall for second time against Stratford."