An outstanding performance by Cyrus Rone led Ethel to a 26-8 victory over Hamilton.
“He had a huge game,” said Coach Adam Smith.
Rone carried 18 times for 188 yards and completed three of four passes for 38 yards. He accounted for all of the Tigers' scoring with four touchdown runs and a pass to Steven Steed for a two-point conversion. On defense, Rone led Ethel in tackles with seven from his outside linebacker position.
The Tigers had 348 yards on the ground.
“We looked pretty good running the ball,” Smith said.
Marcus Jones carried 15 times for 65 yards and completed a 30-yard pass to Jaylen Estes before exiting the game in the second quarter with an ankle sprain that will probably keep him out of this week's game at Sebastopol.
The defense blanked Hamilton until the Lions scored on a pass in the fourth quarter. Hunter Quick had an interception and five tackles, Tyler Weaver a sack and five tackles, Brent Bell an interception and Estes defended two passes.
Ethel is 3-1 overall and 2-1 in Region 3-1A, tied for second with French Camp and Vardaman. Hamilton is 1-6 and 0-3 in 3-1A. West Lowndes leads the region at 4-0, including a 26-3 victory over French Camp, the team that defeated Ethel.
Sebastopol is 3-4 and 1-2 in region play, with losses to West Lowndes 28-22 and Noxapater 21-20 and a 23-6 victory over Vardaman.
“They're big and they're fast,” Smith said. “They're going to be tough to deal with.”
Like Ethel, Sebastopol is a run heavy team, led by junior David Williams with 610 yards and six TDs.
