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.

Also on Franklin County Times
Sheriff: Contraband is constant battle in jails
Main, News, Russellville, ...
Bernie Delinski For the FCT 
January 21, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE — Franklin County Sheriff Shannon Oliver said the county jail is not immune to the problem jail officials everywhere face: Inmates coming...
Oliver, Shackelford qualify for sheriff
Main, News, Russellville, ...
Kevin Taylor For the FCT 
January 21, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE – Franklin County Sheriff Shannon Oliver will have to hit the campaign trail to seek a fifth term this year. Oliver, a Republican and Fra...
New welding shop a plus for students
Franklin County, Main, News, ...
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
January 21, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE — A new welding shop inside the Russellville High School’s remodeled career tech building offers students more time and space to learn th...
Vina seniors tour NWSCC campuses
News, Vina Red Devils
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
January 21, 2026
VINA — Vina High School seniors toured the Phil Campbell and Muscle Shoals campuses of Northwest Shoals Community College as part of career planning a...
Can the US solve its electricity crisis?
Columnists, Opinion
January 21, 2026
As America embraces a new year 2026, consumers are looking for relief from an ongoing “affordability crisis.” While prices for some key items have mer...
Book Lovers Study Club helps Safeplace
Columnists, News, Opinion
HERE AND NOW
January 21, 2026
Safeplace provides safety, shelter and practical support to people experiencing domestic violence and education aimed at preventing abuse. The regiona...
CB&S Bank announces promotion of Woodard
News, Russellville
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
January 21, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE CB&S Bank will have a new chief credit officer this spring as longtime executive Jeff Daniel prepares to retire at the end of the first q...
Vaughn retires from First Metro Bank
News, Russellville
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
January 21, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE — After a 45-year career in the financial industry, Mike Vaughn has retired from First Metro Bank, where he spent the last three decades ...

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *