Tattnall County High and Claxton High School have produced some of the more interesting football games in the past than most small towns can ask for. It has been the truest definition of a rivalry for almost three decades. 

With that being said, Tattnall is proving that this small-town rivalry isn’t much of a rivalry anymore. The Battle Creek Warriors dominated the Claxton Tigers 48-6 this past Friday in the Badlands of Tattnall County. 

The Warriors won the coin toss at midfield and chose to receive the ball. Jeremiah Mayner received the kickoff and proceeded to run 90 yards for what was thought to be touchdown. Through the roars of the fans during the kickoff return, lightening showed her force and proceeded to cause a delay of two hours and 45 minutes.

At 10:15 p.m., play resumed, and the Warriors never took their foot off the pedal. Sophomore Miles Brown started the scoring parade off with a 1-yard touchdown run, only to be followed by a 9-yard touchdown run from Junior Xavier Friendy. In a matter of two minutes, the Battle Creek Warriors were ahead by 14 points. 

For myself, the biggest story of the night was Senior Fullback Aaron Proctor. “AP” towers over his teammates in size and stature. His quiet demeanor does not reflect his work on the football field. AP finished the “so called” rivalry game with 125-yards rushing and three rushing touchdowns. 

Claxton had no answer for anything the Warriors threw at them. Jeremiah Mayner was also a force to be reckoned with, finishing the game with 95 rushing yards, one rushing touchdown, and two catches for 27 yards. 

The Warriors were led defensively by all 11 defenders. Sure, there are some stand-out players that have Division 1 football offers, but they are one sound unit marching to the beat of their Defensive Coordinator Roderick Williams. Coach Williams has arguably the most ties to Tattnall and Claxton, being he was the Head Coach of the Tigers from 2014 to 2017, but Coach Williams has found his home in the Badlands of Battle Creek. The Warriors defensively didn’t allow a single point and made it physically apparent who was in charge. The Tigers found the end zone on a returned kickoff. 

As I left the wet and soggy Warrior Stadium, I was perplexed with the thought of rivalries. Rivalry or not, Tattnall County has emerged. The Warriors are looking to enforce their will on anyone who stands in their way. 

Tattnall County will travel to low country on Friday, August 26 to square off with another so-called rival, the Long County Blue Tide. The Warriors have a motto for this season, “Unfinished Business.”