The playoff picture looks dim for the Selma Saints after they fell 15-6 to the Chilton County Tigers on Friday night in a regional matchup.

It was a contest that the defense of both teams dominated.

“We played hard tonight, but a couple of mistakes cost us,” said Selma coach Foster Davis.

The Chilton County defense intercepted two passes and returned both for touchdowns, which proved to be the scoring needed for the win. The first interception came in the opening quarter when Quinten Underwood stepped in front of a Selma pass and scampered 33 yards down the sidelines for the score. Anthony Atchison returned one in the second quarter for 85 yards to give Chilton County a 12-0 halftime lead.

“It was an unbelievable effort by our defense,” said Tiger coach Brian Carter.

The Selma defense held the Tigers (2-5, 2-2 Class 5A Region 3) in check by making stops when needed. Chilton County’s only offensive points came late in the final quarter on a 21-yard field goal off the leg of Patrick Norman.

The Saints (4-2, 2-3) could not sustain a drive on their offensive end of the ball. They recorded just six first downs in the game, all in the first three quarters.

“Offensively, we’re struggling,” added Davis. “We’re still struggling at the quarterback position and have only one running back.”

The Saints’ best field position was in their opening possession of the second half after a 35-yard kickoff return by senior Jamarius Strong gave them the ball at their own 46. However, they were forced to punt after three plays.

Selma got on the scoreboard early in the fourth. A CCHS punt pinned them at their own 4-yard line. On the first play from scrimmage, Selma sophomore Eddie Johnson bolstered off right tackle then outran the Chilton County defense 96 yards to pay dirt. That cut the Selma deficit to 12-6 with 8:44 left to play.

But Norman’s field goal on the Tigers’ ensuing drive all but put the game away.

The Saints have two regional game left on their schedule. One is against Carver-Montgomery, who is undefeated. The other is against Monroe County, who is winless in the region.