By J.R. Tidwell /  Editor

The Bibb County Choctaws won a close contest with Chilton County to hand the Tigers their first region loss of the 2018 season by a final of 34-21 on Oct. 12.

Bibb County received the opening kickoff and managed to drive the ball to Chilton County’s side of the field.

However, the Tigers held strong and forced a turnover on downs on fourth and short at their own 25.

CCHS’ drive seemed destined to stall early, but two personal fouls by the Choctaws helped keep the drive alive for the Tigers.

ShiKeem Laister capped the drive with a 37-yard touchdown run to give the Tigers the lead at 7-0 with 4:44 left in the opening quarter.

CCHS forced another turnover on downs at their own 17-yard line to regain possession near the end of the first quarter.

Bibb County got on the board with a 9-yard touchdown run with 8:40 remaining before halftime.

Triston Schmidthorst blocked the ensuing point after attempt to keep CCHS on top 7-6.

On the Tigers’ next possession, Cameron Wright seemed to fall on top of a defender before getting up and continuing into the end zone for a long touchdown run, but the officials ruled that he was down.

Nevertheless, Chilton County would find the end zone a few plays later when Laister connected with Justin Liveoak on a 33-yard bomb for a score. Following the PAT the Tigers led 14-6 with 5:34 left before halftime.

Bibb County mounted a long drive and managed to score on a 9-yard pass with just 10.3 seconds remaining in the period, and the Choctaws converted to knot the contest at 14-14 at the break.

Bibb County took its first lead of the contest on a 20-yard touchdown run four minutes into the third quarter.

Schmidthorst once again blocked the point after attempt, and BCHS led 20-14.

Chilton County made a sustained drive on its next possession and capped it off on a 2-yard touchdown plunge by Devonte Robinson. The PAT gave CCHS the lead once again at 21-20.

A 28-yard touchdown pass put the Choctaws back ahead 28-21 with 3:26 left to go in the third.

The Tigers forced a third turnover on downs at their own 32 early in the fourth period.

CCHS made it to midfield when Schmidthorst made a carry. He landed on top of both a Bibb County defender and a teammate, and his forward progress appeared to be halted.

However, this time the officials did not blow the whistle, and a Choctaw defender knocked the ball away before BCHS made a 49-yard scoop and score to go up 34-21, which proved to be the final points put on the board in the contest.

Chilton County falls to 3-4 overall and 3-1 in Class 5A, Region 3 play. The Tigers will travel to face Marbury on Oct. 19.