Commerce overcomes fumbles to fend off Banks County

COMMERCE -- Commerce needed some late heroics, but the Tigers did just enough to fend off Banks County 28-21 on Friday in Commerce.<br /> <br /> The Tigers put up 231 yards rushing, including 110 yards and two touchdowns from Cole Chancey, but four fumbles nearly proved the Tigers (1-0) undoing.<br /> <br /> Thanks to J'varius Wood, Commerce held on to their advantage, as the junior defensive back snagged an interception in the Tigers end zone to deny Banks County (0-1) in the dying seconds of the game.<br /> <br /> It was Commerce's second big interception of the contest -- Jesse Underhile opened the scoring for the Tigers when he picked off a Banks County pass and returned it 55 yards for a touchdown in the first quarter. Chancey added a nine-yard touchdown run in the second quarter.<br /> <br /> Yet the Leopards fought back and knotted the score at the half thanks to short scoring runs from Travae Cain.<br /> <br /> The Tigers pulled back in front on a Brad Mayberry touchdown run -- only to watch Cain score again to make it 21-21. Chancey's 14-yard in the fourth quarter looked set to seal the game, but Commerce fumbled the ball away deep inside its own territory before Wood deflated Banks County's comeback hopes.<br /> <br /> Banks County finished with 224 total yards, 120 of that on the ground. Cain rolled up 71 yards on nine carries.<br /> <br /> The Leopards will look to bounce back at Johnson next week.<br /> <br /> Commerce will play host to Hebron Christian next Friday.