Dawgs denied on road
- Updated: November 10, 2018
Anniston starts with a big scoring play, but Deshler denies Bulldogs several times in the second half
By Jacob Cole
Florence Times-Daily
TUSCUMBIA – After a slow first half, Deshler dominated the second half en route to a 21-7 victory over Anniston in the opening round of the Class 4A playoffs Friday night.
Anniston scored on the first drive of the game, but the Tigers defense stepped up to pitch a shutout throughout the rest of the game.
“We had them third and long on two situations and they had a good call,” Deshler coach Bo Culver said. “But our defense responded and shored up and did what they do.”
Channing Marmann threw two touchdown passes in the second half for the Tigers (6-5) after the teams battled to a 7-7 tie in the first half. Marmann threw for 139 yards and the two scores while adding 74 yards on the ground.
Tyree Carmichael threw for 148 yards and a score while adding 78 yards rushing for Anniston in the loss that snapped a four-game winning streak.
Anniston, playing in only its second playoff game since 2012, started fast with an opening drive that ended with 60-yard touchdown pass from Carmichael to Jimmy Felton on a throw back pass play. The Bulldogs (6-5) would not see the end zone for the rest of the game.
Deshler responded with 36 seconds in the first quarter with a Kam Pritchard one-yard plunge into the end zone to tie the game at seven.
The Tigers (6-5) had a golden opportunity in the second quarter to score but a fumble at the Bulldogs 1 gave the ball away.
Deshler and Anniston went into halftime tied 7-7.
Marmann said he kept telling his guys to get ready to go win in the second half.
“We just told them if we don’t pick up the intensity and ferocity then we won’t be here next week,” Marmann said. “We’ll have to hang up our pads after the game and it kicked in with some people.”
The Tigers stepped up on offense in its first drive. Marmann hit Samuel Almon for an 11-yard touchdown strike. They missed the PAT.
The Tigers defense stood tall to stop the Bulldogs from scoring with a goal-line stand at the 1 to keep Anniston out of the end zone. Two plays later Marmann hit Hayden Stutts for a 79-yard touchdown that ultimately sealed the win.
The 21 points were the most the Bulldogs had allowed in a game since their 40-20 loss to Jacksonville on Oct. 5.
In the fourth quarter, Deshler forced a turnover on downs, Ben Whitlock secured an interception and Teondre Goodloe recovered a fumble in the final minute of the game.
“It is fantastic (to win); I’m really, really excited about our effort and win,” Culver said. “We didn’t play very well early in the first half making a lot of mistakes. The playoffs are about responding to adversity, overcome and bouncing back. Our kids never stopped fighting. In the playoffs it is win and advance, however you got do it.”
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