Tigers trounce McEwen 21-7

The Hollow Rock-Bruceton Central High School Tigers capped off the regular season Friday night with a 21-7 regional win over McEwen, finishing fourth in their region and earning a spot in the state playoffs.

The Tigers, who are entering the playoffs with even records of 4-4 overall and 3-3 in regional competition, will be on the road in the first round Friday night, facing off with Fayetteville High School, the number one seed in that region with an 8-0 overall record and an undefeated 5-0 region tally.

Game time is set for 7 p.m.

This past Friday night, following a scoreless first quarter for both teams, Central’s Malik Mathes broke the ice on the first play of the second quarter with a 25-yard touchdown carry. The extra point kick put the Tigers ahead 7-0.

Later in the second, after a muffed punt, Central’s Thomas Crews scored from 23 yards out. The PAT failed, but Central was pulling away 13-0.

McEwen, however, managed to make a mark before the halftime break with a big 60-yard scoring run by Tommy Wills, followed by a successful kick, but that still left the Tigers with a 13-7 halftime advantage.

The third quarter ticked by with no change on the scoreboard.

Central’s Caleb Haskins scored the final touchdown of the game in the fourth quarter on a 45-yard sprint. A successful two-point conversion set the Tigers’ winning margin at 14 points.