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PIGEON FORGE – Grainger and Pigeon Forge had to battle not only each other but multiple lightning delays in their Friday tilt before the Grizzlies prevailed in a 7-6 slugfest.

As the score would indicate, both offenses were virtually non-existent. The Grizzlies had 146 total yards, all on the ground. They were 1-of-14 on third down conversions and only converted one of their five fourth down tries. The Tigers had 89 yards rushing and 73 passing and weren’t true on any of their third down tries. Penalties killed the home team as they were flagged nine times for 99 yards. Hunter Mallicoat ran 17 times for 67 yards and Aiden Dalton went 12 times for 58 yards. Aiden Howard had 72 yards on 10 carries and Andrew Lewis also ran 10 times to amass 27 yards.

Both teams were able to put together solid drives in their first possessions but each ended on fourth down tries. The only score of the first half came on a defensive play by the Tigers when Karson Blalock picked off a pass and returned it 36 yards for the score. The extra point was no good and the team teams went to the break with Pigeon Forge up 6-0.

Quarter three was more defensive action until a costly penalty cost the Tigers dearly. Punter Ray Vences was standing in his own end zone for a kick but was roughed and the Grizzlies got an automatic first down. Grainger wasn’t able to keep the drive alive but the Grizz defense held and forced a Tigers’ punt.

Pigeon Forge struggled with the snap all night and one got away from them and Ashton Taylor fell on it to set the Grizzlies up in good field position. Mallicoat scored from the two and Vences put through the extra point to give Grainger the 7-6 lead. Isaiah Kyle had a huge punt return and the Grizzlies appeared to be ready to ice the game away as they drove to the Pigeon Forge two. Disaster struck as Grainger fumbled the ball and the Tigers recovered. They had one more chance to try to put together a game-winning drive and got all the way down to the Grizz 20. The defense held, however, as Grainger escaped with the 7-6 win.

Grainger returns to district play next week as they travel to Blountville to take on Sullivan East in a game with major playoff implications.