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By Carey Reeder | Managing Editor

Chilton County High School’s late game push was not enough as neighboring Bibb County High School took down the Tigers 29-21 on Aug. 23.

It was a slow start for CCHS in the first half as first-year head coach Eddie Wall described the team as sluggish. It took some time for the Tigers to work out some early season kinks, but they put together a touchdown drive at the end of the first half. That made it 22-13 at the break, and put CCHS in position to challenge Bibb County in the second half.

Quarterback Logan Coppedge was 14-for-21 passing with 165 yards and one interception. Kaleb Yarenko was the leading receiver for CCHS with four catches for 29 yards, followed by Marco Simon with three catches and Brayden Bowles, Jordan Simon and Luke Moatts all with two grabs.

“We went in at halftime, and I told the team that all we wanted to do was be in the position to play the second half with a chance to win the game, and I challenged them,” Wall said. “I told them to compete for the entire second half and we will see what happens, and we played a much better second half.”

The Tigers were down three scores on two separate occasions during the game, but the team responded each time they encountered adversity. The second half was a completely different scene than the first half as the CCHS defense earned some critical stops and the offense found its footing. Down 29-21 with just under two minutes left to play, The Tigers got the ball back with a chance to drive down and tie the game. However, Bibb County got a defensive stop on fourth down that ended the threat and gave them the win.

Nyzaiah Dejarnett led the Tigers’ defense in tackles with eight, followed by AJ Underwood with seven and Bam Parker and Jake Payton with six. Parker also recovered a fumble in the game.

“I was really proud of the overall effort, and especially proud of the second half. If that second half team continues to improve, then we are going to be able to play with anyone that we run up against,” Wall said. “I learned that these guys are going to fight … We have a team that no matter the circumstances is going to fight, and fight with everything they have got.”

Chilton County (0-1) opens its 2024 home schedule on Aug. 29 hosting Jemison High School at Tiger Stadium at 7 p.m. for their next game.