HIAWASSEE — Commerce football dominated early for a 49-7 win over Towns County on Friday in Hiawassee.
The Tigers (8-0, 3-0 Region 8-AN) scored 21 points apiece in the first and second quarters to stamp their authority on the contest.
Commerce rushed for 258 yards, passed for 151 and held the Indians (2-6, 0-3) to just 155 total yards, 149 of that on the ground.
Tigers quarterback Nate Ray completed 3 of 6 passes, including two touchdowns -- one apiece to TJ Trudnak and DaJuan Wood. Wood also rushed for a 20-yard touchdown in the first quarter and paced Commerce with 70 yards on the ground.
Caleb Mason also had a 42-yard interception return for a touchdown in the firsy quarter, while adding a 23-yard touchdown run just before halftime. Sam Roach also scored on a 1-yard run. Bo Childers recovered a Commerce fumble in the end zone for the Tigers' only second half score.
It was not all smooth for Commerce, however, as Dylan Deaton left the game with an injury and did not return.
The Tigers play host to Riverside Military next week knowing that a victory would clinch the subregion crown and a final regular season contest for the 8-A crown on Nov. 2.
