By Brandon Sumrall | Special to the Advertiser

A stifling Chilton County High School defense that would not allow the Marbury offense past their own 31-yard line through much of the first half Friday helped with a 48-point first half output by the Tigers offense as Chilton County rolled to a 56-7 homecoming victory.

After a quick three-and-out by the Bulldogs offense, the Tigers (3-3 overall, 0-3 region) struck pay dirt on their first play from scrimmage when C.J. Driver went in from 18 yards out to put the Tigers up 6-0.

With Colby Barren adding the point-after, the Tigers lead 7-0.

Another forced three-and-out by the Tigers defense set up the Chilton offense up with their second drive of the night at the Marbury 33.

Four plays later, an eight-yard touchdown run by Kidevon McDaniel put the Tigers up by 14 points still early in the first quarter.

Cade Hatch, who was crowned the school’s homecoming king before the game, was next to score for the Tigers with a 26-yard touchdown run to make the score 21-0.

Kendal Elijah was named homecoming queen.

A Kendall Davis 39-yard touchdown run brought the score to 28-0, and another touchdown by Hatch on a 22-yard touchdown reception made it 35-0 in favor of the Tigers.

With 3:27 to play in the first half, Hatch picked up his third score of the night on a 21-yard touchdown, but the Tigers weren’t done. As the clock struck zero, Davis broke free of the Bulldog defense and scampered 66 yards to make the score 49-0 at the half.

The Tiger offense kept the momentum going to start the second half as Dylan Leon went in from eight yards out to make the lead 56-0.

With many of the CCHS starters enjoying the second half of the game from the sideline, the Bulldogs finally got on the board on a Malachi Washington one-yard touchdown run to make it 56-7 late in the third quarter.

The Bulldog offense put together two more drives in the half, but the Chilton defense stalled both drives short of the end zone as Chilton County cruised to the win.

“Everyone came in and played hard, but the enthusiasm was the key,” Tigers coach Brian Bradford said. “Everybody wanted this one really bad. It was one we felt we let slip away from us last year. We circled this one on our schedule. It was a good win for us.”

Davis led the Tigers’ ground game with 114 yards and two touchdowns on four carries.

Hatch added one carry for 23 yards and three receptions for 63 yards along with three touchdowns.

Dustin Cleckler led the defense with eight tackles.