In the Middle School edition of the Battle of Butler County, the Greenville Middle School Tigers were defeated by Georgiana Middle School by the score of 32-24.

The loss drops the Tigers’ record to 5-2 with one game remaining on the season.

Two Tiger turnovers led to a 16-0 deficit within the first four minutes of the game.

Georgiana’s Ricky Everett scored on a 40-yard quarterback scramble and a 35-yard run.

Everett converted one two-point conversion and Roderick Griffin converted the other.

Before the half, the Tigers would answer with two scores of their own.

Demontrez Dean and Brian Smith were on the receiving end of Kent Riley passes for both of those touchdowns.

The second half began with each team trading field position until the Tigers finally reached the end zone on a Kent Riley quarterback sneak.

The Panthers answered with their own touchdown run, a 55-yard scamper from Griffin that knotted the score at 24-24.

The Panthers forced the Tigers to punt and took possession with 56 seconds to play.

Georgiana then connected on a 55 yard touchdown pass from Everett to Trey Brockman.

The two point conversion from Griffin was good, making the score 32-24.

The Tigers went with the legs of Kent Riley all the way inside the 10 yard line with 13 seconds left.

The Panthers intercepted the next pass to ensure the win.

“Our kids were pumped and jumped out to an early lead,” said Georgiana head coach Kirk Norris. “I guess they thought they had it won, but they realized they were in for a fight at halftime. I’m proud they came back and didn’t back down and lose focus.”

“It’s a big win, and it’s always good to beat a county rival,” he added.

Greenville Head Coach Josh McLendon said, “Tonight was one of those games you dread as a coach. It seemed like everything that could go wrong did go wrong. The two quick scores early in the game hurt us, but I am proud of the way we fought back and tied the game.”

“We continue to give up the big play and that is something we can’t do,” he continued. “We had a chance to tie it in the end, and that is all you can ask for. It was not the best play call by me, but that is something for me to learn from. I am proud of our kids and how they play. ”

Greenville Middle School will conclude their season against Selma next Thursday at Tiger Stadium.