Ethel did everything right but on the scoreboard.
Hamilton’s B.J. Jones would score on a 6-yard touchdown run on a fourth and goal for the only touchdown of the game as the Lions defeated Ethel 7-0. The win snapped Hamilton’s 12-game losing streak. Their last win came in last season’s opener against Coldwater.
“Even though we lost we played the most complete game we’ve had since I’ve been here,” said Ethel coach Dave McCrory. “We had two touchdowns called back on penalties and it hurt.”
The Tiger defense held Hamilton to just 168 yards of total offense, including 45 yards passing and that was on one completed pass. Ladarius Hubbard had eight tackles and Izik Stewart had four tackles for loss for the Tigers on defense.
“We played really well on defense,” McCrory said. “We stopped them three different times on fourth down.”
Luther Clark had 66 yards rushing on 12 carries to lead the Ethel ground game that 112 yards rushing total. Quarterback Reeves Threadgill went 3-of-11 passing for 45 yards.
The Tigers (0-3) will now start Region 3-1A play this week as they travel to county rival McAdams.
McAdams (0-2) is coming off a bye week.
“They run the ball a lot and run to the ball good on defense,” McCrory said. “Hopefully we’re starting to put it together. We have an opportunity to start division play 1-0 and we can get this thing rolling in the direction we want it to go.”
