After suffering its first loss of the season to Houston Academy in their previous game, Tim Grimes' Red Level Tigers were hoping to rebound

against winless Geneva County at Crystal Springs Park on Friday night.

And led by a smothering defensive attack and a big-play offensive attack, the Tigers were able to blank the visiting Bulldogs 35-0 to improve to 6-1 on the season.

"We played hard and we are a young team," said Grimes. "I didn't know how we would bounce back after losing last week, but some of our guys showed their leadership this week. We have got another big game next Friday (at Slocomb) and that will likely determine if we will be at home or on the road in the playoffs."

After being stopped on its initial series, Red Level began its second possession of the contest on the Bulldog 30-yard line.

Led by the running of tailback Larry Hudson and Antonio "A.J." Harris, the Tigers quickly advanced to the Geneva County 6.

From there, Harris scored on a running play with 28 seconds left in the opening quarter. His extra point kick was also true and Red Level was up 7-0.

As the second period began, the Bulldogs punted and Red Level's offense went back to work at the Tiger 22.

Four plays into the series, Red Level scored once again, this time via a 34-yard TD run by Harris at the 9:41 mark. The extra point was no good, but the lead had grown to 13-0 for Red Level.

Key plays in the 78-yard scoring march included a 15-yard completion from quarterback Russell Rigdon to Chaz Maloy and a 32-yard completion from Rigdon to Tanner Carroll. Rigdon completed 5 of 6 passes on the night for 112 yards and a touchdown.

Geneva County could not muster anything on its ensuing possession and had to punt, giving the ball back to Red Level at the Bulldog 46.

Three plays later, Red Level hit pay dirt once again, scoring on a 21-yard run by Harris at the 6:47 mark of the half. Harris scored the two-point conversion as well and the lead was now at 21-0

Another key play in the march was a 19-yard pass from Rigdon to Dexter Brundidge.

Late in the half, after a Bulldog series ended in an interception by Brundidge, who had two picks on the night, Red Level took over on the Tiger 1.

Three plays later, Red Level capitalized on the miscue, with Rigdon hitting Maloy on a 34-yard TD pass at the 1:36 mark. The extra point was good and the lead had ballooned to 28-0. The TD was set up by a 35-yard run by Rigdon.

In the second half, Grimes began to play many of the Tiger second-teamers, and the Tigers were able to keep hold of a commanding advantage.

The Tigers began their first possession of the second half at the Tiger 32, and eight plays into this series, led mainly by the running of Hudson, Hudson took it in himself from 31-yards away at the 7:57 mark of the third. Harris kicked the PAT and the score was now 35-0.

Key plays included runs of 7 and 9 by Hudson and a 20-yard scamper by Harris.

This proved to be Red Level's final points of the night, but the Tigers were able to get in younger players after this such as Jamie Evans, Princeton Ryce and Greg Ryberg.

Harris led the Tigers with 143 yards on 13 carries and three scores while Hudson added 75 yards on 12 carries and a score.

The Tigers are back in action Friday as they travel to Slocomb for a huge region game scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m.