Costly mistakes irk Tigers as they fall to Athens Christian, 19-14

Commerce (4-2, 0-2) was unable to contain Athens Christian (2-4, 1-1) in the fourth quarter, as the Eagles went up by five with time ticking away.

Junior quarterback Daniel Streetman filled in under-center for the Tigers, due to Drew Whitfield being out sick with mono.

The Tigers were off to a rolling start when after Streetman completed a 52-yard pass to Terrick Ramsey on the opening drive of the game. Commerce went up 7-0, when Quay Little rushed for a touchdown from five yards out.

Athens Christian drove down to the red zone on the ensuing possession, but was forced to settle for a field goal by the Tiger defense.

After a Commerce punt and an Eagle fumble, Little broke loose on a 65-yard touchdown run putting the Tigers up 14-3 in the second quarter.

The Eagles kicked yet another field goal before halftime, leaving the score at 14-6.

Athens Christian had the ball to start the second half, but punted it away after going three-and-out.

On fourth and long, Streetman completed a pass to full back Jamal Browner, but he was stopped just shy of the first down.

The Eagles responded by breaking a huge run, and bruised it in the end zone. After failing to complete a 2-point conversion, the Eagles cut the tiger lead to 14-12.

Commerce once again turned the ball over on downs, missing the first down marker by a matter of inches.

After an Athens Christian fumble, the Tigers drove down the field, but found themselves going for it on fourth down yet again. After a personal foul, Commerce was backed up ten yards and fell well short of converting the first.

The Athens Christian quarterback completed a string of passes on the next drive, eventually getting one in the end zone to put the Eagles up 19-14 with time running out.

Commerce tried to rally one more score, but fell short when Streetman was intercepted, sealing an Athens Christian Victory.

The Tigers ended up with 338 total yards of offense, giving up 406.

Quay Little rushed for 157 yards and two touchdowns on 11 carries.

Daniel Streetman was 4-8 passing for 72 yards.

Commerce will host region 8-A opponent Prince Avenue Christian next Friday, Oct. 12, at 8:00 p.m.