High School Sports, Red Bay Tigers, Sports
 By  Josh Prewitt Published 
11:01 am Wednesday, September 7, 2016

Red Bay wins region opener 30-8

Senior running back Tate Ozbirn was the story of the game once again for Red Bay with yet another outstanding performance, rushing for 201 yards and three touchdowns on the game and proving to be the difference for the Tigers after a close game in the first quarter.

“I am proud that our players corrected some mistakes we made early in the game and played an excellent second half,” Coach Michael Jackson said.

After an early score from sophomore quarterback Kolby Bragwell on a one-yard touchdown run to put Red Bay on the board first, Mars Hill Bible would answer back late in the first quarter by scoring on a one-yard touchdown run of their own from Colton Smith and would add on a two-point conversion by Nasser James to take the lead 8-7 going into the second quarter.

Ozbirn, who’s totaled 527 yards and nine touchdowns in the Tigers’ 3-0 start on the year, scored a touchdown in each of the next three quarters to help lift them to their 21st consecutive regular season win, beating the Panthers 30-8 to get their first region win and stay undefeated.

Tigers defense held the Panthers to 134 total yards (77 on the ground) for the whole game.

The Tigers’ rushing attack was their biggest strength coming into this year.

“We were able to run the football for over 340 yards and control the game. Our defense adjusted well to the wing T offense from Mars Hill and held them to two yards a carry.I thought both teams played hard, and we must continue to improve,” Jackson said. “Building depth will be a factor in upcoming games.”

Red Bay (3-0) (1-0) will travel to Hatton next Friday for a 2A Region 8 game against the Hornets.

Senior running back Tate Ozbirn was the story of the game once again for Red Bay with yet another outstanding performance, rushing for 201 yards and three touchdowns on the game and proving to be the difference for the Tigers after a close game in the first quarter.

“I am proud that our players corrected some mistakes we made early in the game and played an excellent second half,” Coach Michael Jackson said.

After an early score from sophomore quarterback Kolby Bragwell on a one-yard touchdown run to put Red Bay on the board first, Mars Hill Bible would answer back late in the first quarter by scoring on a one-yard touchdown run of their own from Colton Smith and would add on a two-point conversion by Nasser James to take the lead 8-7 going into the second quarter.

Ozbirn, who’s totaled 527 yards and nine touchdowns in the Tigers’ 3-0 start on the year, scored a touchdown in each of the next three quarters to help lift them to their 21st consecutive regular season win, beating the Panthers 30-8 to get their first region win and stay undefeated.

Tigers defense held the Panthers to 134 total yards (77 on the ground) for the whole game.

 The Tigers’ rushing attack was their biggest strength coming into this year.

“We were able to run the football for over 340 yards and control the game. Our defense adjusted well to the wing T offense from Mars Hill and held them to two yards a carry.I thought both teams played hard, and we must continue to improve,” Jackson said. “Building depth will be a factor in upcoming games.”

Red Bay (3-0) (1-0) will travel to Hatton next Friday for a 2A Region 8 game against the Hornets.

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