By: Shayla Terry

After suffering a big loss to the Elba High School, the Luverne Tigers bounced back last week by pouncing the Central Hayneville Lions 46-16.

“It was a good game,” Head Coach Scott Rials said.

“We were kind of sluggish to start from the last two games where we didn’t have great success. We really progressed as the game went on.”

About four minutes into play, junior running back Marcus McGhee capitalized on a shaky defense to run the ball for an 11-yard Tiger touchdown.

With kicker Chase White out last week due to injury, freshman defensive lineman Tony Bell stepped up to kick for Luverne. Bell was 4-3 in field goal attempts during the game.

Bell’s successful field goal attempt brought the score to 7-0. The Tigers would close the quarter without anymore scoring, yet the Lions put two points on the board.

In the second quarter, the Tigers stepped it up with a constant stream of scoring.

“We came out in the second quarter and second half,” Rials said.

Junior wide receiver T.J. Peagler connected with sophomore quarterback Dionte (Tay) Brantley for a 25-yard touchdown, bringing the score to 13-2.

The Tigers had success again when senior wide receiver Antavious Brown also connected with Brantley for a 35-yard touchdown, followed by a successful field goal from Bell.

Into halftime the Tigers led the Lions 20-2. In the third quarter, Luverne went without scoring. Yet, Central scored a touchdown, and made good on a two-point conversion – bringing the score to 20-10.

In the final quarter, McGhee started it off with a 4-yard run for a touchdown. Still at the top of the quarter, sophomore line backer J.J. Harris picked off the Lion offensive. Harris ran the ball back for a touchdown, putting the score at 33-10.

Brantley, with 106 passing yards, added six more yards to his 91 yards rushing for the night with his own touchdown.

Complemented by a successful field goal attempt from Bell, the score was 40-10.

Up and coming freshman quarterback Tanner Simmons also put some points on the board for Luverne with a 3-yard touchdown run.

“He’s just a freshman, but he’s going to be very good player for us down the road,” Rials said.

With less than a minute and a half of play left, Central scored. Yet, it was too little too late. The Tigers won with a 40-point advantage.

This week Luverne will host the Flomaton High School Hurricanes at Glenn Daniel Stadium.

“They are a larger school than us,” Rials said.

“It’s going to be a good game, and we want everyone to come out.”

Friday night will also be Luverne High School’s Senior Night, where the school with recognize senior athletes, cheerleaders and band on their last home game.

The Tigers have advanced to the first round of playoffs. They are scheduled to travel to Aliceville to compete against the Aliceville High School Yellow Jackets on Friday, Nov. 4^th.