Cedar Bluff rallies at Sumiton Christian, 21-14

Staff Reports

SUMITON – For the second straight week, the Cedar Bluff Tigers found themselves in a close battle. And, for the second week in a row, the Tigers found a way to come out with a win.

Trailing by seven at halftime, the Tigers’ Bucky Leek returned the second-half kickoff 80 yards for the game-tying touchdown. Preston Burt scored the go-ahead touchdown with around five minutes to go in the game in Cedar Bluff’s 21-14 victory.

“For the second straight week we got behind in the first half. The momentum was definitely in Sumiton’s corner,” first-year Cedar Bluff coach Alan Beckett said. “I thought we did a really good job of handling adversity by making some adjustments at halftime. The kids responded.

“Our offensive line didn’t have a great first half for the second week in a row, but I thought we had a good second half. I thought we were in better shape and were a little more physical down the stretch, but it was another good prize fight, kind of like that one the week before (against Valley Head).”

Jack Gable put Sumiton Christian on top early in the first quarter on a 50-yard interception return. The Eagles led 6-0 until Leek scored on a 6-yard run  in the second quarter. The extra point gave the Tigers a 7-6 lead.

Sumiton Christian regained the lead at 14-7 just before halftime on Kamen Defoor’s 5-yard touchdown run and his ensuing 2-point conversion run.

That set the stage for Leek’s second-half kickoff return and Burt’s late-game touchdown.

Burt finished with 53 yards on 11 carries. Tiger quarterback Jacob Burleson ran for 48 yards in 10 totes. He also completed 8-of-11 pass attempts for 75 yards. Leek had 35 yards on seven carries and three catches for 38 yards.

Austin Richardson led the Tigers defensively with three interceptions.

The win improved Cedar Bluff’s record to 2-1 overall and 2-0 in Class 1A, Region 7 action. Sumiton Christian drops to 1-2 (0-1 in the region).

Cedar Bluff travels to Trion, Ga. on Friday. Sumiton Christian host Woodville.

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