COMMERCE, Ga. — Jaiden Daniels quickly ensured there would be no letdown for Commerce this time in the playoffs.
The junior running back rambled 51 yards on the Tigers' second play of the game to spark an impressive 58-19 win over Jasper County on Friday at Tiger Stadium in the first round of the Class A Division 1 playoffs.
The win snapped the Tigers' three-game postseason losing streak going back to 2020. The 58 points was also a playoff record for the Tigers. Now, they will get ready to play host to Dade County, a 49-7 winner over Mount Pisgah, in next week's second round.
Commerce (10-1) came in as a heavy favorite over the Hurricanes (5-6) and did not disappoint. After Jasper County tied the game at seven on its first possession -- a 2-yard run from Tyler Banks four minutes later -- Daniels struck again, scoring on a 55-yard run two plays later.
From there, the defense and special teams took over for Commerce. They forced the Canes' second drive to stall at the 18, and then a botched snap on a 35-yard field goal attempt ended with an 11-yard loss on fourth down. They stopped Jasper County again on a fake punt on 4th-and-6 a yard short at their own 49 on its next possession.
Coach Mark Hollars was more than impressed with how his group came out ready to take control from the opening snap.
"Our kids did a great job in the bye week. They came in on four of the five days, and our young kids on the scout team have done a great job of helping us prepare for games," Hollars said. "At this time of year, you must keep improving, and you can't stay the same. I think we're doing that.
"Jasper County was a team that scared us because they have athletes and can score. I thought we did a great job settling down after their first drive."
Daniels, who finished with 151 yards in just over two-quarters of work, credited the offensive line.
"Our plan is always to come out and try to get the running game going," Daniels said. "Our O-line, H-backs and fullbacks all get the job done upfront. They have played well all year, and that's the key, really."
It was a disastrous second quarter for the Canes, who had the ball just once, while the Tigers manufactured three possessions to end the half without the Canes running a single play over the final 9:56 of the second quarter.
Tysean Wiggins scored on a 12-yard TD run to cap a 71-yard drive after the botched field goal attempt. Daniels scored his third TD of the game on an 11-yard run following the failed fake punt to push the lead to 28-7.
After that score, the special teams generated a free possession, beating the Canes to the ensuing kickoff. Jaccari Huff scored on a 3-yard run five plays later for a 35-7 lead.
The Canes then fumbled the next kickoff, which led to a 25-yard field goal from Adam Calderon to end the half for a 38-7 lead.
"We were able to grab control there at the end of the half," Hollars said. "Those two kickoffs turned into points and were big for us going into halftime."
The Tigers turned two more Jasper County turnovers into points in the third quarter. Jeremiah Mintz picked off a Chevy Sands pass with one hand and returned it 37 yards for a score. Peyton Evans recovered a fumble on the Canes' next possession, and Jace Lyle scored on an 11-yard touchdown run to extend the lead to 58-13.
For Mintz, a junior, it was his first-ever touchdown for the Tigers.
"I saw they had a guy out to the left that was uncovered, so I went to cover him, and I was able to just grab (the pass) with one hand and pull it in," Mintz said. "I didn't know if I was going to make it, but it felt good to score like that."
Wiggins had 90 yards in just over two-quarters of work as well. The Tigers pounded out 312 yards on the ground in the fourth quarter despite a running clock.
