DANIELSVILLE — For all the usual talk of Commerce's vaunted wishbone attack, it has been the Tigers defense in 2018 that is turning heads.
The Class A No. 8-ranked Tigers held Class 4A Madison County to just 117 total yards, only 2 total yards in the first half, and just one late touchdown as they ran away with a 35-8 victory on the road Friday night.
Commerce (5-0) has surrendered just 47 total points (9.4 points agame) in the first half of the season. The win also pushed Commerce to its first 5-0 start since 2002 and continued the Tigers' momentum as they head into Region 8-A North subregion play next week against Lakeview Academy.
Four different players scored for Commerce, which used its punishing ground game and sneaky passing attack to roll out to a 35-0 lead after the third quarter. Nate Ray connected with Dylan Deaton for a 27-yard touchdown pass and then Sam Roach scored on a 1-yard run for a quick 14-0 lead over the Red Raiders (2-4).
Nick Patrick then scored the first of two touchdown runs from 7-yards to give the Tigers a 21-0 halftime lead. Patrick added a 3-yard scoring in the third quarter and Dajuan Wood added a 19-yard touchdown run.
Ray finished with 52 yards rushing and 64 yards passing while Patrick paced the Commerce ground game with 55 yards on 13 carries.
