By Brandon Sumrall | Special to the Advertiser

Thunderstorms in the area delayed action for almost two hours on Friday night as Chilton County’s varsity football team looked to get back on the winning track at home against Oxford.

Almost five hours after the scheduled start of the game, the Tigers faithful that stuck around despite the continued rain showers were treated to an overtime nail-biter. Unfortunately those same fans that went home wet also went home disappointed as the Tigers came up on the losing end, 14-13 in overtime.

Just over three minutes into the first quarter, and with only one Oxford possession in the books, the game was delayed for the second time on the night.

When play finally resumed at 8:55 p.m., the Tigers started their first possession of the game with 8:47 to go in the first quarter, but went three-and-out.

The Yellow Jackets drove to the Tigers’ 18-yard line with their next drive before Keandre Binion picked off Oxford quarterback Ty Webber’s pass in the end zone to bring the drive to an end.

Another three-and-out by Chilton County (1-3 overall, 0-2 region) set up the Yellow Jackets with first-and-10 from their own 49-yard line, where Binion came up with his second turnover on the night, this time on a fumble recovery.

The Tigers failed to capitalize on the turnover.

With both teams struggling to get any momentum going on offense, the Yellow Jackets put together their longest drive of the first half late in the second quarter.

Starting from their own 33, Oxford (2-2, 1-1) drove to the Tigers’ 15-yard line before stalling and being forced to attempt a 32-yard field goal.

With the kick wide left, the teams went to the locker room scoreless.

Midway through the third quarter, the Yellow Jackets became the first to tack on points with a 63-yard run by Tredarian Gamble. With the point-after up and good, Oxford took a 7-0 lead.

The Tigers look poised to answer right back, but on a third-and-12 from the Oxford 12-yard line, Chilton quarterback Anthony Chavez’s pass into the end zone fell into the hands of a Yellow Jackets defender and set Oxford up with a first-and-10 from their own 20-yard line.

Facing a fourth-and-2 from their own 39-yard line, Oxford called on Ty Webber to punt. Cade Hatch fielded Webber’s punt at his own 28-yard line and shook off multiple Yellow Jacket defenders on his way to the Oxford 8-yard line.

One play later and Hatch finished the drive with an 8-yard touchdown reception from Chavez. With the point after up and good, the game was tied at 7-all with 5:22 left to go in the fourth quarter.

With just 42 seconds to go in the game, Chavez found Binion down the left sideline for a 26-yard gain down to the Oxford 42-yard line. However, time would run out on the Tiger drive and send the game into overtime.

The Tigers won the toss and elected to go on defense to start the first period of overtime.

Setting up first down from the Tigers 10-yard line, Webber took the snap and ran around left end, diving for the pylon and coming away with a touchdown on the first play of over overtime to lead the Yellow Jackets to a 14-7 lead.

Down seven and facing a fourth-and-10 from the Oxford 10-yard line, Chavez rolled out to his left, buying just enough time for Hatch to come open in the end zone to draw the Tigers to within one, 14-13.

The Oxford defense was ready for the extra point effort and blew up the play in the backfield to dash the Tigers hopes of a second overtime period and bringing the game to its final.

“We have got to get to the point to where we can close out these close games,” Tigers coach Brian Bradford said. “We have lost two games by one point. We have to finish a little better and turn some of these close games in to wins.”

Tyler Henderson led the way on the ground for Chilton County with 15 carries for 36 yards. Chavez was 11 of 19 passing for 111 yards, two touchdowns and an interception.