DALEVILLE-  Eighth-ranked Straughn defeated Daleville 12-6 Thursday night at Warhawk Stadium to close out the regular season.

For the fourth week in a row, Tigers (9-1) were led by their dominant defense.

“This is four weeks in a row where we have been lead by our defense,” SHS coach Trent Taylor said. “They played outstanding again tonight.”

The Tiger defense brought their “A” game to the table, allowing only their second touchdown in four weeks to keep the Warhawks off the scoreboard in the first half.

The defense forced two turnovers on downs, a fumble and a punt out of the Warhawk offense in the first 24 minutes. Straughn’s Riley Watson was credited with a fumble recovery.

The Tiger offense was able to find the endzone on their first possession of the game, driving 65 yards on 10 plays with Anthony Elmore finishing the drive off with a two-yard touchdown run. The extra point was no good, leaving the score 6-0. The game would remain that way until the half.

The Tigers first possession of the second half ended when Zack Turvin fumbled the ball inside his own 20, where the Warhawks took over on their own 17-yard line.

The Warhawks were able to crack the scoreboard with a five-yard touchdown pass. The extra point was no good keeping the score at 6-6.

The tie would not last long as Turvin was able to take the ensuing kickoff back 93 yards for a touchdown. The Tigers attempted to go for two but were stopped short. With over eight minutes left in the third quarter, Straughn sealed the win with another touchdown.

Straughn’s Chase Short started at quarterback Thursday night in place of injured Josh Dewrell. Short finished with 10 carries and 56 yards.

Later in the contest, Short was injured on the Tigers second to last possession when he took off on a fake punt and was yanked down by his face mask, short of the first down. Short was immobilized and placed on a stretcher and carted off the field. Short gave the crowd and his teammates a thumbs up before being placed in the ambulance.

Straughn’s defense held the Daleville offense to 141 total yards, with 111 coming through the air. The Tigers held the Warhawk rushing attack to only 30 yards on 31 carries.

Straughn will play host to UMS-Wright next Friday in the first round of the Class 4A state playoffs.