Behind big plays from running back DJ Read, the Montford Mustangs dominated the Griffin Tigers in a weather-interrupted season opener August 18.
Facing off at Lawton Chiles High School, Griffin won the toss and deferred, so Montford received the kickoff. The Mustangs would never trail.
On the first possession of the game, Montford star DJ Read broke through a maze of Griffin’s white-jerseyed defenders and raced 52 yards for the game’s first score. After the game, Read said this “breakaway touchdown was for sure” the turning point in the game.
The Tigers’ AJ Linder had a big run on the next possession, but it was taken back due to penalties. Then, Montford’s defense stiffened and Griffin turned the ball over on downs after big tackles from Montford linebacker/tight end Eli Barksdale and linebacker/quarterback Jase Dault.
After a first quarter weather delay that would halt the game for 30 minutes, Montford came out firing. Number 3 DJ Read again got the ball, and took it 35 yards into the end zone to double the Mustang lead. AJ Henry then ran the ball for the successful two-point conversion.
A great punt by Montford gave Griffin the ball at the one yard line. Then, Eli Barksdale pushed into the Tigers’ backfield and made another big tackle for a safety. Multiple runs by J.W. Savoy and DJ Read on the next possession paved the way for quarterback Dault’s touchdown rush.
In the third quarter, the Tigers and Mustangs would each turn the ball over, and then Griffin would get on the scoreboard with their own big play. At their own twelve yard line, the Tigers gave the ball to running back AJ Linder. Linder, amidst a swarm of Montford maroon, found a gap in the defense and took it 88 yards for the score to cut the lead to 22-6.
Montford would then slowly drain the clock behind runs from J.W. Savoy and Dominic Scott. Deep in Griffin’s red zone, Dault iced the game with a long arcing pass to AJ Henry for Montford’s fourth TD, and a final score of 29-6.
After the game, Montford star DJ Read punctuated the win: “I’ll be prepping, and getting ready to run people over [in our next game].”
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