This past Friday was a night to remember for the Red Bay Tigers, as they won their first on-field game against the Hamilton Aggies 22-20.

Prior to this past year, Red Bay and Hamilton had not met on the field since 1983. The Tigers lost this past year’s matchup and got a COVID forfeit win the year before.

“The kids played hard and gave tremendous effort,” said Red Bay Coach Heath Childers. “It was a huge win for the program, and it’s always nice to beat a team for the first time. Very proud of our guys.”

Red Bay struggled early, falling behind 12-6 in the first half. A second–half turnaround, however, helped the Tigers come back to win a close game.

The game started slow and sloppy. Hamilton scored first on a 33-yard passing touchdown.

Red Bay bounced back quickly, responding with a 6-yard touchdown run by Cody Carnes to tie the game.

Hamilton regained the lead in the second quarter on a 25-yard touchdown run to go up 12-6.

In the second half, Red Bay struck first from three yards out on a run by Keeton Lanphear. Red Bay converted the two-point conversion to go up 14-12.

Hamilton bounced back with a touchdown on a 24-yard run to reclaim the lead 20-14.

Red Bay responded with another touchdown by Lanphear, this one from one yard out, to win the game 22-20.

The stat line was as even as the scoreboard, with the Aggies out–gaining the Tigers 318 to 293 in yards. Lanphear led all rushers with 127 yards on 18 carries and two touchdowns. Carnes rushed four times for 18 yards and a touchdown.

On the defensive side, Brady Bolton led with seven total tackles.     

The Tigers are off this week. They will return to action next week in their region opener against Lexington.