The McIntosh Chiefs opened the season with a rivalry matchup against the Fayette County Tigers for the “Fight for 54” trophy last Friday night. After a rain delay, kickoff was pushed to 8:30 P.M., McIntosh’s defense set the tone early, keeping Fayette County off the scoreboard. Chiefs scored a touchdown in the first quarter to take a 7-0 lead over the Fayette County Tigers.
The Chiefs dominated in the second quarter, putting up 21 points while shutting out the Tigers, extending their lead to 28-0 at halftime. Senior Running Back Brandan Ridley was a key contributor with a rushing touchdown and multiple receiving scores, finishing the game with three total touchdowns. Senior Quarterback, Elijah Strader, threw one touchdown pass and ran for another, also setting a career-high with 155 passing yards.
“I feel like after this game our boys are [going to] get hype, and we’re [going to] smack out every other game,” Ridley said.
McIntosh continued its control in the third quarter, adding another touchdown to bring the score to 35-0. Senior Wide Receiver and Defensive Back, Skip Smith, made an impact with a touchdown reception on 90 receiving yards. Chiefs capped the game with a final touchdown in the fourth quarter, sealing a 42-0 shut down.
“We took control early and didn’t let up,” Smith said after the win. “Our defense was relentless, and our offense executed when it mattered most. We’ve been building this program, and nights like this show our progress.”
On defense, McIntosh recorded five sacks in total. Senior Defensive End, Dallas Ward, led with two sacks, while fellow senior Defensive Tackle, Chance Tyson, added one sack and eight tackles, four of which were for loss. The win marked McIntosh’s fourth consecutive victory over Fayette County.
“Every game prepares us for region play. Next week, we face Sandy Creek, the best team in Fayette County. It’s our job to be ready and bring our best,” Smith said.
Kickoff is at Sandy Creek at 7:30 with tickets available at GoFan.
