By Wil Crews
sportscrews@opelikaobserver.com
On Thursday, The Beulah Bobcats faced off against the Childersburg Tigers, falling 42-14. The loss moves the Bobcats to 0-6, but three of the loses came as forfeits due to the coronavirus.
One fewer day of practice did not appear to affect either team, as the two combined for 482 total yards. The difference was the passing game. Beulah completed 5-of-13 passes for 37 yards, while Childersburg completed 7-of-12 for 126 yards. Both teams ran the ball effectively. Beulah finished with 193 yards and scored their only two touchdowns on the ground. Still, Childersburg posted a respectable 166 rushing yards of their own.
Conditions were fair as the game began and Buelah took an early 7-0 lead with a 30-yard rushing TD by Anquavion Holmes. The Tigers answered on their second drive with a 30-yard TD pass from Cannan Johnson to Elijah Sims. The first quarter ended 7-7.
The next score of the game came for the Tigers on a 63-yard rushing TD by Xzavion Garrett. The half ended with both teams trading punts and refusing to give in to the opposition’s offense. It wasn’t until the second half when Childersburg solidified their dominance and pulled away from the Bobcats.
Buelah opened the scoring in the third quarter with a 1-yard TD run by senior qaurterback Kaleb Abney. Abney finished with 119 yards rushing to lead the Bobcats. From there, it was all Childersburg. A fumble recovered and returned for a TD, a 20-yard rushing TD (Garrett’s second of the game), a 6-yard rushing touchdown (Garrett’s third) and a 52-yard passing TD (Johnson’s second) put the game away. Final score: Beulah 14, Childersburg 42.
The Bobcats’ first half play was as well as Beulah have started a game this season. Ultimately, untimely turnovers and a lack of a passing game did the Bobcats in.
The Bobcats now prepare for their home matchup against Reeltown (3-3) of Notasulga, Alabama. The game is scheduled for 7 p.m. CST at 4848 Lee Road 270, Valley, Alabama, 36854.