COMMERCE, Ga. — Freshman Jaiden Daniels ran for 229 yards and four touchdowns to lead Commerce to a huge 31-20 Region 8-A Public win over No. 9 Washington-Wilkes on Friday night at Tiger Stadium.
Daniel, who did not start until the third game of the season, now has nearly 1,300 yards in just seven games for the Tigers (5-3, 2-1 Region 8-A Public) since being inserted into the starting lineup.
The victory for the Tigers (6-3, 3-1 Region 8-A Public) moves them into a three-way tie for first place with Washington-Wilkes (7-2, 3-1 Region 8-A Public) and Lincoln County (6-3, 3-1 Region 8-A Public).
Commerce will travel to Lincoln County next week to close out the regular season. A Tigers win will give them a second straight region title.
Against Washington-Wilkes, Commerce opened the game with a 75-yard drive, capped by a 16-yard run from Daniels for a 7-0 lead.
Washington-Wilkes pulled within 7-6 before Commerce extended its lead on its next with a 3-yard scoring run from Daniels. Washington-Wilkes tied the game late in the first half before the Tigers went to the half with a 17-14 lead on a 28-yard field goal from Ivey Tolbert.
The teams swapped turnovers to open the third quarter before Daniels scored again to cap a 56-yard drive for a 24-14 lead.
Washington-Wilkes fumbled again on its next possession and Daniels collected his fourth TD of the game to finish off a short 38-yard drive and push the lead to 31-14.
It didn't take long for Washington-Wilkes to answer, getting a 77-yard TD pass on the next play to cut the lead to the final score.
But Washington-Wilkes could get no closer.
Dreylan Martin added 152 yards rushing for Commerce.
