By: Shayla Terry

The Luverne Tigers closed out their regular football season with a close win over the Flomaton Hurricanes, 29-28.

Game night began with senior festivities. Senior football players, cheerleaders and band member were honored for their participation.

Early in the first quarter it was clear that the game would be hard fought. The Tigers were the first to secure a touchdown. Senior running back Tyrus Jones ran the ball for a 59-yard touchdown, bringing the score to 6-0.

Flomaton met the Tiger touchdown with one of their own, closing the first quarter with a score of 6-7.

Junior running back Marcus McGhee scored in the second quarter for Luverne. His 63-yard run was complemented by a successful field goal attempt from freshman defensive lineman Tony Bell. Bell continued progressing in his second week as kicker, he was 3-1 in attempts.

Again, the Tiger touchdown was met by a Hurricane advancement, the score was 13-14 at halftime.

In the third quarter, McGhee put more points on the board for Luverne. He ran nine yards for a touchdown. A night heavily influenced by the running game, McGhee finished the game with 265 yards rushing.

Still early in the quarter, the Tigers capitalized on the mistake of the Hurricanes. They received a safety, bringing the score to 22-14.

Flomaton was not to be brought down by their mistake, the Hurricanes answered with two touchdowns. The latter touchdown was coupled with a successful two-point conversion, bring the score to 22-28.

During third quarter play, junior TJ Peagler took a potentially season ending hit.

“It was more like a shock,” he said.

“The flip scared me more than anything.” The hit did not keep Peagler down, by the fourth quarter he was back on the field with his team.

“When I went back out onto the field, I felt a little pain,” he said. “But, it was nothing I couldn’t bear.”

Down beginning the fourth quarter, senior wide receiver Antavious Brown rocketed a punt return for a 38-yard touchdown. Bell boasted the extra point with a successful kick. The score was 29-28 with just over nine minutes of play left.

Both sides made advancements for a touchdown, yet neither ever score again. Defense played a major role in keeping the Tiger lead. Freshman defensive back Arian Gregory finished the night with four tackles and six assists. Sophomore linebacker JJ Harris boasted four tackles and five assists of his own.

With less than 15 seconds left of play, the Hurricanes put their last scoring attempt in the air. It was shutdown by the Tiger defense, leaving the score 29-28.

In their first round of the playoffs, Luverne will compete against the Aliceville Yellow Jackets. The Yellow Jackets completed their regular season schedule 10-1.

Peagler says that he hopes unity secures the win for the Tigers.

“We are all brothers striving for the same goal,” he said.

“I believe that we can achieve it with a good work ethic, the right plays and the bond that we share.”

The Tigers will travel to Aliceville. This week’s pep rally will be held at 9:30 a.m. Luverne schools will have an early dismissal on Friday. The elementary school will dismiss at 12:20 p.m., while the high school will dismiss at 12:25 p.m.