Commerce wins defensive battle to advance to semifinals

COMMERCE -- It was a defensive battle in the truest sense. And Commerce took advantage of three Calhoun County turnovers and a key bad punt to pull out a tough 10-0 win Friday night in the quarterfinals at Ray Lamb Stadium.<br /> <br /> The win for the Tigers (10-2) moves them into the Class A Public semifinals for the first time since they won the Class A state title in 2000.<br /> <br /> "We found a way to win," Commerce coach Michael Brown said. "We just need to get re-focused for next week."<br /> <br /> Commerce will make the long trek to No. 2 seed Irwin County next with spot in the Georgia Dome at stake.<br /> <br /> The Tigers have not played in a state title game since 2000 -- and they certainly played like they want another shot on Friday, especially on defense. <br /> <br /> The two teams had less than 300 yards offense combined as neither unit could make much headway against the defenses.<br /> <br /> But Commerce got the biggest break of the game midway through the second quarter. The Tigers defense backed up the Cougars to their own 1 and then the Calhoun County punter shanked a kick for just a 7-yard punt.<br /> <br /> Commerce would drive the short 8-yards in three plays, capped by a 1-yard touchdown run by Caleb Brooks for a 7-0 lead. The Tigers, after a Cole Chancey fumble recovery at the Cougars 38, got a 41-yard field goal from Andres Salgado on the final play of the first half for a 10-0 lead.<br /> <br /> In one of the weirdest stat lines you'll ever see, the two scoring drives amassed a total of two yards.<br /> <br /> Commerce certainly had opportunities to blow things open. Of the Tigers' 11 possessions, eight started inside Calhoun County territory. But the Cougars forced four turnovers and stopped Commerce on downs three times to stay within striking distance.<br /> <br /> "The greatest danger we faced tonight was ourselves," Brown said.<br /> <br /> Thanks to a stout defense that featured a one-man wrecking crew in Chancey it didn't matter. Chancey forced two fumbles and recovered three fumbles on the night. Calhoun County crossed into Commerce territory just once the entire game.<br /> <br /> The Tigers were able to pile up 156 yards rushing in the game. Brooks finished with 54 yards, Will Thomas had 50 yards, and Chancey added 33 yards on the ground.