Tallassee surprisingly spanks Selma High from 5A playoffs

Published 11:40 pm Friday, November 4, 2022

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Tallassee pulled off one of the biggest upsets in the Class 5A State football playoffs.

Quarterback Tyler Ellis accounted for five touchdowns and 200 yards passing as the Tigers cruised to a 49-16 victory on Friday night at Memorial Stadium.

Selma (7-4) finished with consecutive losses, but Saints coach Willie Gandy made no excuses after the game. He spoke to the players at midfield.

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“Before the game, I told you they were good,” Gandy told his players after the game. “In the playoffs, everybody’s good.  I felt that we were the better team. They ran their offense, they were disciplined.”

The Tigers (7-4) jumped out to a 14-0 first-quarter lead behind Ellis, who threw scoring tosses of 4 yards to Luke Burdette and a 75-yarder to Cade Everson.

Marcus Walton scored on a pair of 1-yard TD runs for the Saints, but the Tigers took control to lead 35-16 at halftime.

Ellis connected with DJ Leonard on an 8-yard TD pass. Everson scored from 55 yards and 8 yards out to close out the second half.

The Tigers padded their lead to 42-16 after three quarters on Ellis’  8-yard TD pass to Everson.

Ellis’ 1-yard TD run in the fourth quarter closed out the scoring.

“The playoffs bring about all kinds of anxiety,” Tigers head coach Mike Battles Jr. said. “Either you win or you go home.”