Another painful loss for the North Atlanta Warriors puts them at 2-2 on the season after a great 2-0 start. This week, it was the Tucker Tigers coming into Lakewood Stadium and escaping with a game-winning field goal with three seconds left in the game.
Last week’s 20-17 loss in overtime against Pebblebrook left a bad taste for the Warriors, but they looked to get back on track with a win against the Tigers.
Points were at a premium the whole game but came early for the Warriors. Their first drive of the game ended in points and it was their star tight end Ned Coleman on the receiving end from Warriors quarterback Jack O’Kelley. A misalignment by the Tigers on the PAT led to the Warriors converting a two-point conversion to lead 8-0 with 4:59 to go in the first quarter.
The Tigers were successful in moving the ball downfield but were unsuccessful in getting points. This was mostly due to Tigers kicker Camden Russell missing three field goals throughout the game.
While the Warriors defense held strong and got much-needed stops, their 8-0 lead was strong until the fourth quarter.
Tigers wide receiver Barry Manning applied a lot of pressure to the Warriors secondary, making big plays and catches of 20+ yards. Eventually, he earned his way into the endzone on a 21-yard touchdown reception from quarterback Amir Streeter.
The Tigers were able to convert on the two-point conversion tying the game at 8 with 5:36 to go in the fourth quarter.
The Warriors offense had no answer, going three and out to give the Tigers possession with over three minutes remaining.
Manning went 15 yards on a screen pass to put the Tigers in Warriors territory on with less than two minutes remaining. On third down, receiver Isaiah Raheem caught a 22-yard pass one-handed to set the Tigers up inside the Warriors 20.
After two rushing attempts by the Tigers to bring the clock to eight seconds, Russell was sent in to kick a 21-yard field goal for the game-winner. After missing all three of his attempts for the game, Russell was successful as the football squeaked through the uprights sending the Tigers sideline into a frenzy. On the other side, the Warriors were stunned in disbelief and some were in tears as they failed to finish late for a consecutive week.
The Warriors will look to go above .500 as they host Hughes next Friday while the Tigers will host Lovejoy next Thursday at home.
