By Coe Robbins | Special to the Advertiser

Penalties and turnovers were the key factors as Chilton County fell to Marbury (3-2, 0-2) on Friday, 20-17.

In the fourth quarter, with the Tigers (1-5 overall, 0-3 region) down 14-10 and 7:30 left to play, junior Cade Hatch fielded a Marbury punt, bounced off a few tackles and raced 80 yards to regain the lead at 17-14.

But an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty after the play backed up the ensuing kickoff to Chilton’s own 20-yard line.

Marbury capitalized on the penalty that gave the Bulldog offense excellent field position as senior Duante Talley returned the kick all the way to the Chilton County 30-yard line.

After a forced three-and-out by the Chilton County defense on the same drive, CCHS was flagged for roughing the kicker to keep the drive alive for Marbury.

It was then that Talley capped off the drive, rushing three times for 20 yards to put Marbury back on top for good.

Chilton County was flagged 10 times in the game for 85 yards and turned the ball over five times, including three interceptions.

One of those interceptions turned out to be a difference-maker.

With 5:52 left to play in the opening quarter and Chilton County up 3-0 after an Anthony Chavez 26-yard field goal, Chavez was intercepted by Marbury’s James Mitchell, who took it all the way to the end zone to make it 7-3.

On the next possession, Chilton County managed to drive the ball 46 yards, all the way to Marbury’s 1-yard line. On fourth down from the 1, the Tigers’ Keishun White received the ball on a reverse, but the Bulldogs were there to stop him for a 5-yard loss, ending the Chilton County drive.

Marbury was able to extend their lead four possessions later when freshman Brayden Baggett completed a 53-yard pass play to senior Tyric’ Ray to give the Bulldogs a 14-3 lead with :34 left in the half.

Chilton County ended the game with 227 total yards, including 130 yards rushing, while Marbury only managed 71 total yards. The Tigers also managed 12 first downs to the Bulldogs’ four.