Tigers fall to New Madrid 38-35

NEW MADRID, Mo. -- The New Madrid County Central Eagles slipped past the Central Tigers on Friday night as they pulled off a 38-35 victory.

In the first half with New Madrid County leading 8-7, James Poindexter fumbled a return and the Eagles were there to scoop it up. They scored minutes later on a run by Jamareia Jones.

The extra possession would prove to be costly later in the contest.

In the second quarter, Central had a big defensive stand only to go three-and-out. New Madrid County then scored to put the score at 22-13, where it stood at half.

In the second half, both squads used heavy doses of the running game. The Eagles put together five runs before G'Darius Stevenson's pass was picked off by Rodney Reynolds, who took the ball 60 yards for the touchdown. An extra point was added by Matt Ponder, and just like that, the Tigers were in business, trailing 22-20.

The small deficit didn't last too long as New Madrid County was back on the board just three minutes later on a 46-yard touchdown pass from Stevenson to Kony Ealy. A 2-point conversion made it 30-20.

Central added another touchdown before the third quarter wrapped up, but the Eagles retaliated with one of their own on a 77-yard touchdown run by Jones. New Madrid County led 38-27 after three quarters.

The Tigers pulled back within three with just under 11 minutes to go when quarterback Andrew Williams connected with tight end Zach Boerboom from 5 yards out for the score. Central converted its 2-point attempt on a run by Terrance Howard to cap the scoring.

The Tigers (0-2) head to Obion County, Tenn., next week, while New Madrid County (2-0) battles Potosi.