By Jeff Devine, The Chronicle
The Ariton Purple Cats opened Class 2A Region 2 play in convincing fashion Friday night, rolling to a 45-14 victory over the Zion Chapel Rebels.
The win improved Ariton’s record to 2-1 overall and gave the Purple Cats a 1-0 start in region play.
Ariton jumped out to a 13-7 lead after the opening quarter and continued to build its advantage in the second quarter. The Purple Cats added 13 points before halftime, while Zion Chapel scored seven, sending Ariton into the locker room with a 26-14 advantage.
The Purple Cats added seven more points in the third quarter and 12 in the fourth to put the game away.
Ariton’s offense produced 480 total yards, including 338 through the air and 142 on the ground.
Quarterback Addison Senn completed 18 of 25 passes for 331 yards and two touchdowns. Bryson Davis also completed one of three attempts for seven yards and a touchdown.
Jacorie Hammock led Ariton’s rushing attack with 82 yards and two touchdowns on 12 carries. Titus Senn added 26 yards on one carry, while Senn and Grant Davis also contributed on the ground. Davis finished with nine rushing yards and a touchdown on three carries.
The Purple Cats also received several big plays through the air. Bryson Rhett recorded four catches for 119 yards and a touchdown, while Titus Senn caught three passes for 111 yards and a touchdown. Connor Davidson added four receptions for 79 yards, and Blake Barrol caught one pass for seven yards and a touchdown.
Ariton also received a contribution from Titus Senn on special teams, where he recorded two returns for 30 yards.
Defensively, Tate Kilcrease led the Purple Cats with 14 tackles, including two tackles for loss.
Jeremiah Davis finished with 11 tackles and four tackles for loss, while Ryan Williams recorded 10 tackles and three tackles for loss.
Grant Davis and Asa Thompson each recorded nine tackles. Davis added a tackle for loss and recovered a fumble, while Thompson also recorded one tackle for loss.
Connor Davidson handled the kicking duties for Ariton, making three of five extra-point attempts.
The victory gives the Purple Cats momentum heading into the heart of their Region 2 schedule.
Ariton will return home Friday, Sept. 11, to face Houston County in another region matchup.
