Ohatchee starts strong
- Updated: August 20, 2016
Tucker, Eubanks lead 456-yard rushing attack, defense unyielding for three quarters as Indians roll
By Brant Locklier
For East Alabama Sports Today
RAGLAND — Ohatchee carried the momentum of an impressive spring jamboree straight into the fall and opened its season Friday with a huge 52-19 win over Ragland at John Ford Stadium.
The Indians won four games in coach Scott Martin’s second season last year and look to be even better in 2016. Playing in one of the toughest regions in the state looms ahead, but on this night they got off to a great start.
“We have a group of 16 seniors and 12 juniors; we took our lumps with our young guys and have built our team for this year,” Martin said. “We still have to stay healthy, but we are much stronger and in good condition and I have to give credit to our strength coach (Chris Findley).”
The Indians got on the board early when Austin Tucker took it in from 4 yards out. Two minutes later quarterback Taylor Eubanks scored on an 11-yard run to put the Indians up 13-0.
Eubanks rushed for 119 yards and three touchdowns, while Tucker rambled for 183 yards and two scores.
The Ragland defense dug in and came up with a few stops, but the Indians scored with 26 seconds to go in the half to take a 20-0 lead.
“I felt like we were a little sluggish and tired in that first half, but Ragland is a good football team,” Martin said. “They have a new coach (Brian Alred) and we did not know what to expect and had to make a lot of adjustments. Ragland fought really hard.”
Still, the Indians came out on fire in the second half and scored on runs of 65, 83 and 29 yards to open up a 40-0 lead. Eubanks had the 65-yarder, Tucker the 83-yarder and William McCombs had the 29-yard run.
It was the Jadon Killings show in the final 15 minutes of the game as the Ragland senior running back scored on runs of 4 and 34 yards and returned an Ohatchee kickoff 85 yards for another score.
Michael Alward scored on a 4-yard run for Ohatchee and Roger Widgeon ran a kickoff back 90 yards in the fourth quarter.
The Ohatchee defense was outstanding as the first team held the Purple Devils to minus-1 yard of offense through midway through the third quarter.
“Our defense did a really good job; they kept us in good position all night long,” Martin said. “Our depth made the difference in the second half and our offense got going in the second half and we broke them early with the big runs. Our execution was very good in the second half.”
OHATCHEE 52, RAGLAND 19
Ohatchee 13 7 20 12 — 52
Ragland 0 0 6 13 — 19
Team stats Ohat Rag
First Downs 16 5
Rushing yds 456 107
C-A-I 1-3-0 0-3-1
Passing yds 12 0
Penalty yds 40 51
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