Tigers secure third seed with victory

With entry into the Class 3A playoffs assured, the homestanding Southeast Lauderdale Tigers and the Clarkdale Bulldogs both hoped to improve their positioning Friday night.

But in a torrential downpour it was the Tigers who came away with the win, 26-6, and the third playoff spot in Region 5-3A.

Tiger coach Boo Smith said earlier this week it was always good to know you had a ticket to the dance, but to be realistic to have a chance at the big dance in Jackson you have to improve you position in the bracket.

"I call going in as the fourth-place team as backing in," said Smith.

Well, the Tigers (5-6, 3-2) don't have to back in now after a big first half against the Bulldogs, who fell to 4-7 and 2-3 in the region.

Southeast scored on four of its five first-half possessions and sophomore running back Ladarious Clark gained 79 yards on just 11 carries including one for a touchdown to give the Tigers a 26-6 halftime lead.

It all started from the opening kickoff when Clark collected the ball at his 8-yard line and sloshed 91 yards down to the Clarkdale 1. Two plays later, junior quarterback Shelby Moseley tucked in behind his center for the score. Brandon Bowen's PAT was good and Southeast quickly led 7-0.

Turnovers on such a soggy field were inevitable and on the Bulldogs' first play from scrimmage the fumble bug hit. Tiger senior defensive tackle Michael Williams pounced on the ball giving Southeast prime field position at the Clarkdale 49. Eight plays later Moseley again slipped behind his offensive line from 1 yard out and crossed the goal line. Bowen's PAT was again good and the Tigers had built a 14-0 lead.

Clarkdale seemed to have the ball moving nicely as the Bulldogs marched from their own 31 down to the Southeast 37 in only three plays. But again a turnover, this time in the form of a fumbled pitch, stopped the Bulldogs.

A nine-play, 59 yard drive was capped by Tiger senior fullback Desmond Johnson as he bulled over from 1 yard out. Bowen's PAT was no good but Southeast had a commanding 20-0 lead late in the first quarter.

After swapping possessions, Clarkdale finally got untracked in the mud. Taking over at the Southeast 37 after a bobbled punt snap, the Bulldogs used 10 plays to get into the end zone. Micah Redmond went over from a yard out on a quarterback keeper but Dillon Boatner's PAT was wide left. Still the Bulldogs had shaved away some of the deficit.

But Southeast came right back to answer.

Starting at the Clarkdale 42, the Tigers used seven plays capped by Clark's 17-yard scamper as he picked up a convoy of blockers around the right side. The PAT was blocked but with just seconds left in the first half Southeast had stretched its lead to 26-6.