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Two third-quarter touchdowns wound up being the difference as Straughn earned a hard-fought 14-0 shutout win over Daleville for head coach Garrett Windham’s first career victory Friday night.

The Tigers moved their season record to 1-2 and 1-0 in 4A Region 2 with a win in their home opener, while the Warhawks fell to 0-2 and 0-1.

Jeremiah Toole began the game with a kickoff return to the home 46-yard line. Charlie Jordan picked up 21 yards on three carries as Tate Watson threw a 7-yard pass to Clark Jordan. The drive ultimately stalled as Straughn had to punt. Rolando Roman opened Daleville’s first possession with a 13-yard run for a first down. However, two clutch tackles from Saxby Radford brought a halt to the drive and a punt.

The Tigers utilized the tandem of Charlie Jordan and Cameron Adams for a strong running attack on their next possession. Adams picked up a first down with a 2-yard run before the first quarter ended in a scoreless tie. Adams continued to chew up grass and earned two more first down carries in the second quarter. Javeon Mcleod brought an end to the drive with an interception.

The Warhawks moved the ball three times but could not take advantage of the turnover and had to punt. The two sides traded three-and-outs as Straughn took over with 1:59 left until halftime. Watson connected with Cade Pittman for 10 yards and a first down to the Daleville 46-yard line. Nothing came of the drive as both teams played through another scoreless stanza and left each side searching for answers at the break.

Brenden Bartholomew started the second half off with the first of his three touchbacks. The home defense forced a fourth down, and this time, a muffed punt gave the Tigers the ball at the opposing 7-yard line. It only took two plays as Adams scored from seven yards out for the initial score of the night. Bartholomew added the PAT for a 7-0 lead with 8:20 to go in the third quarter.

Things went from bad to worse for the Warhawks on their next drive as Owen Harrison recovered a fumble on defense. Adams began the next possession with back-to-back carries of eight and seven yards. Watson hit Radford on a 16-yard strike to the visiting 29-yard line for another first down. It did not faze the Tigers who struck three plays later when Charlie Jordan had a 26-yard touchdown run. Bartholomew’s successful PAT took the score to 14-0 at the 3:06 mark.

Ruben Garcia started the next series for Daleville with a 15-yard completion for a first down. Garcia stayed strong in the air and hit Mcleod for a 19-yard gain to the home 35 on the final play of the third quarter. Straughn buckled up on defense yet again and forced another punt with 10:17 left in the game.

Starting at their own 3-yard line, the Tigers stayed true to their ground game and did not give the ball back the remainder of the game. Adams tallied six carries for 46 yards and moved the chains three times. Charlie Jordan also got the handoff six times for 26 yards and converted a first down. Toole earned three carries for 17 yards and a first-down run of 12 yards as he nearly scored inches shy of the end zone when the final horn sounded.

Straughn will continue region play next week against Dale County (1-2, 0-1) in another home game on Friday, Sept. 13.