CHARLESTON -- The Caruthersville Tigers dashed the Charleston Bluejays hopes for a miracle district title Thursday, as they cruised to a 27-0 victory at John Harris Marshall Stadium in Charleston.
The rain-soaked contest began slowly for both squads. Caruthersville (8-2) finally found pay dirt early in the second quarter when Vohland Fonda punched it in from nine yards out.
The Bluejays (1-9) marched down the field on the next drive, but a fumble on the Tigers' 18-yard line was recovered by Caruthersville's Lyndon Hunt, who proceeded to take it 82 yards for the score. The touchdown gave the Tigers a 14-0 lead and all the momentum going into the half.
Caruthersville head coach Brad Gerling noted what an important play the fumble return was.
"Going up two touchdowns there was huge confidence wise," said Gerling. "Charleston has come on strong here at the end of the season and we knew it could be a battle. That was a big boost for us."
Peter Lloyd gave Caruthersville another touchdown with 6:59 to play in the third quarter with a 7-yard scamper. Fonda rounded out the evenings scoring with a 66-yard screen pass from quarterback David Shaw.
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