It took four weeks into the season and a No. 3 team to finally take down the Greenville Tigers, but just that happened Friday night as the No. 3 Eufaula Tigers upended Greenville, 16-13.

The Tigers used a strong, smash-mouth running game to run down the clock, but Eufaula took advantage of a Greenville fumble in the end zone, a 66-yard touchdown run and a 33-yard field goal to take the close win.

&#8220Tonight, we represented our school and community like champions,” Greenville head coach Bryant Vincent said. &#8220What this game did was it proved that if we practice all week and come ready to play, we can play with anybody in the state.”

And play, they did.

After taking the opening kickoff, Greenville called a double-reverse pass but the pass from Lynn Lewis tipped just off the fingertips of Alex Phifer and the Tiger drive stalled.

After holding Eufaula, Greenville got the ball back in the shadow of their own end zone and with 6:16 left to go in the first quarter, Greenville quarterback Casey Weston fumbled a pitch and Eufaula recovered it in the end zone for a touchdown. The following extra point failed, making the score 6-0.

On the following drive, the Tigers used big, first down runs by Weston and running back Brandon Cheatham to set up a three-yard touchdown run by Phifer. The extra point failed, tying the score at 6-6.

Eufaula answered with a drive that stalled at the 17-yard line and the Tigers added a field goal to put the home team down 9-6.

Greenville, however, would not quit.

After receiving the kickoff, the Tigers drove down the field and with 0:46 to go in the first half, Cheatham sprinted 17 yards for the Greenville touchdown and after the extra point sailed through, the Tigers held a 13-9 halftime lead.

The lead would not last.

On the second play of the second half, Eufaula running back Tyron Parker raced 66 yards for the score and after the extra point was successful, Eufaula never looked back.

The Greenville defense held Eufaula in check all night and only relinquished 10 points to a team that is averaging well over 30 points per game.

&#8220Our defensive staff did a tremendous job in preparing our defense,” Vincent said. &#8220They played with tremendous heart.”

Greenville defensive coordinator Ernest Hill said he was pleased with his unit's effort.

&#8220We had one breakdown and I can't ask for anything more than that,” Hill said. &#8220They now know they can play with the best in the state and we must continue to get better.”

The Tigers return to action Friday night at Tiger Stadium as they host Monroe Co. This week is homecoming for the Tigers and kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.