NETTLETON – It was not the smoothest of evenings Friday for the Nettleton Tigers, but all elements considered, they overcame enough of the bumps.

The Tigers survived the weather and a scrappy Baldwyn Bearcats defense to claim a 24-12 victory.

“As bad as the conditions were, we controlled the ball pretty well,” Nettleton coach Jack Clark said. “The key for us was up front, on both sides of the ball.

“We’re getting a little bit better there each game. And that’s what you need when you get to division play.”

In the slick conditions, the Tigers delivered a pretty solid effort offensively. With key yards on the ground by backs Corbin White and Elmonte McClendon, and quarterback Anthony Franklin, Nettleton did control field position for most of the contest, and most importantly, the scoreboard.

The start of the contest was delayed a half hour by the weather, and the first quarter saw another delay because of an injury. And it took about a quarter for both teams to adjust to the muddy conditions, with the Tigers adjusting best.

Joe Sullivan got the scoreboard headed in the Tigers’ direction midway through the second period, beginning with an interception in Baldwyn territory. Five plays later, Sullivan was on the receiving end of a Franklin shovel pass, which was good for a 6-yard score.

Costly turnover

The turnover bug bit Baldwyn again on its next play from scrimmage, and the Tigers pounced even quicker on this opportunity. Franklin scored on the very next snap, this a 24-yard run that gave Nettleton a 12-0 lead.

Baldwyn hung tough, scoring with 23 seconds remaining in the half on a 2-yard plunge by Tanner Gaines to trail 12-6.

Nettleton showed some excellent execution coming out of the locker room on its first possession of the second half. White accounted for three good runs on the 65-yard drive, the third a 13-yard score.

The Tigers then iced the contest on its first possession of the final period. An 82-yard drive was capped by a 13-yard White scored, and Nettleton held a 24-6 lead.

Baldwyn tacked on a 10-yard scoring run by Tyler Estes with 2 minutes, 39 seconds to play.

Nettleton’s offensive output was not impressive, but it was effective. Unofficially, White led the Tigers on the ground with 78 yards, while Franklin had an effective 87 yards passing.