Tucker falls to Kell in Corky Kell Classic

The Tucker Tigers had their third consecutive disappointing loss in the Corky Kell Classic after falling to the Kell Longhorns 20-13 on Aug. 20 at the Georgia Dome.

The Tigers made an effort to tie the game with the clock winding down.

With 1:30 left to play, a missed field goal by Kell gave the Tigers the ball at their 20 yard line. The Tigers quickly marched down the field with quarterback Xavier Shephard finding wide receiver Joshua Vann multiple times near the sideline.

Tucker got to the 22 yard line with 57 seconds left to play when a Kell defender sacked Shephard, causing him to fumble. Kell recovered the ball, ending the game.

Tucker got off to a rough start on defense. Kell’s first play of the game resulted in a 66-yard touchdown run by quarterback John Lampley, giving the Longhorns a 7-0 lead.

The Tigers responded later in the quarter on a 20-yard touchdown pass from Shephard to Vann. A missed extra point left the score at 7-6.

Kell added to its lead in the second quarter on a 40-yard field goal by kicker Connor Mendelson. Tucker took the lead a minute later on a 54-yard touchdown pass from Shephard to Vann, giving the Tigers a 13-10 lead.

Kell tied the score before halftime on a 30-yard field goal by Mendelson.

In the third quarter, a missed tackle by a Tucker defender led to a 79-yard touchdown pass from Lampley to Josh Blancato, giving Kell a 20-13 lead.

Tucker had multiple opportunities to score throughout the remainder of the game, but could not capitalize. Tucker (0-1) will try to get its first win of the season Aug. 26 against Lakeside (1-0) at Adams Stadium.