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By Carey Reeder | Staff Writer

Chilton County High School edged Tallassee High School 24-21 in overtime to secure the Tigers 2022 homecoming win and get back to .500 on the season.

CCHS went on offense first in overtime, and Jorge Castillo converted a 20-yard field goal to put CCHS up 24-21. Tallassee got the ball and on third down got into the end zone, but the play was called back due to a penalty. The ensuing play, the Tiger’s Demarcus Riddick leaped for a pass in the end zone and came down with the interception to give Chilton County the win.

“After we got the ball first in overtime, I told the defense they were going to have to make a big play for us,” CCHS coach Marvin Morton said. “They did that, and they did their assignments and played with a lot of heart tonight. The defense came through for us.”

The Tigers got off to a quick start with quarterback Cannon Miller punching in a one-yard touchdown run late in the first quarter. The point-after was good to give the Tigers the 7-0 lead after the first quarter.

Riddick doubled the lead with a 54-yard punt return for a touchdown in the second quarter. The Tigers defense held Tallassee in check in the first half to take a 14-0 lead into halftime. Riddick led the Tigers defense recording 16 tackles, one sack and pulling down two interceptions.

However, Tallassee rallied for 21 unanswered points in the second half, capped by a touchdown with just four minutes left in the game to put them ahead 21-14.

“I was impressed with how we finished,” Morton said. “Our guys preserved, and they did not let that stop them, and they made plays when we needed to. I am really proud of them.”

Finish was exactly what Miller had in mind, driving the Tigers offense down the field to the 19-yard line. With just over a minute left, Miller dropped back and found Jakobe Worthy for a 19-yard touchdown connection. The Castillo extra point tied the game at 21. Worthy catch four passes for 36 yards, and added six tackles and an interception on defense.

Tallassee had a minute to work with on offense, and Riddick sent the game to overtime with an interception at the end of regulation. CCHS running back Rashard Childers ran for 126 yards on 23 carries.

“We hope to continue to build on this win,” Morton said. “This is a confidence booster for our guys, and our team. Continue to do the things we do well in practice, and we ready for next week.”

Chilton County (3-3) will get back to AHSAA Class 6A Region 3 play on Sept. 30 traveling to Benjamin Russell High School. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. Tallassee travels to Elmore County High School on the same day.