The Greenville Tigers secured their second region win in convincing fashion and celebrated homecoming in style with a 40-8 win over the Headland Rams.

The Tigers pounced early defensively and offensively as the defense forced a quick three-and-out, followed quickly by a flurry of offense.  Tyler Lewis’ punt return to Greenville’s 43-yard line set up a series of rushes from Arick Boggan, with the fifth and final rush of the drive culminating in a 6-yard touchdown run with 8:18 remaining.

The Tigers’ second and third drives would produce much the same result, as Malik Bunch reeled in a grab that set up another series of Boggan runs for a 14-0 lead with 2:29 left in the first. Jeremiah Owens recovered a fumble deep in Ram territory that ended in Boggan’s third rushing touchdown.

The snowball effect continued on defense as an interception from Tyrone Ingram turned into a pick-six and a 28-0 Tiger lead.

Greenville head football coach Josh McLendon said that the energetic start was key to the Tigers’ victory.

“The big thing we wanted to establish was some physicality on both sides of the ball, and establish the run early,” McLendon said.  “We were able to do that, as we scored on our first three possessions.

“We still had a few things that we just can’t do, but for the most part I thought we did what we had to do to win the football game. We’ll enjoy this one tonight, and we’ll get back on track for next week against Booker T. Washington.  That’ll be a big game at home.”

The Golden Eagles of Booker T. Washington have had sporadic success throughout the season, but the team is vastly improved from previous years.  Proof of that manifested early in the season when the Golden Eagles took one of the region’s premiere threats, the Eufaula Tigers, down to the wire in overtime.

Though the Golden Eagles ultimately came up short in that game and a few others this season, Mclendon said that Booker T. Washington is emblematic of an increasingly competitive region.

“They’re going to be a good football team,” he said. “They’ve got a really good running back, and they’re much improved each year.  So we’re going to have to come ready to play and understand that it’s going to be a fight.

“We expect a good showing from them, and we’re excited about the opportunity.  Hopefully, we’ll have a good week of practice to get things started the right way.”

The Tigers host the Golden Eagles Friday.  Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.