ATHENS — Every team that plays Commerce football knows that it must slow its rushing attack to have a chance to win.
Athens Academy knew it and still had no chance at stopping it on Friday night.
The Tigers rushed for 526 yards -- the entirety of their offense -- finishing just four yards shy of the program record en route to a 42-30 win over the Spartans in Athens.
Cole Chancey, Austin Brock and Lane Sorrow each scored two touchdowns to lead Commerce, which led 14-3 at the half only to watch each offense spring to life in the third quarter.
Athens Academy scored three touchdowns in the third but was answered each time by the Tigers (7-2, 6-2 Region 8-A), including two fourt quarter runs by quarterback Sorrow to help seal the win.
The Spartans (8-1, 7-1) managed just 91 yards rushing but also passed for 303 yards. Matthew Flint finally put a stop to Athens Academy's air attack, picking off a pass at the Commerce 1-yard line that allowed the Tigers to run out the clock.
Commerce will play host to George Walton Academy in its regular season finale next week.
