GORDONSVILLE-The home-standing Tigers handed the Bulldogs another lopsided region defeat here on Thursday night, topping Clay County 48-0.

The verdict was decided fairly early, with the only real Bulldog threat of the night coming after the Tigers had scored twice to go up 14-0. That drive stalled, though, and the Tigers went on to win handily.

It was the fifth defeat (all in region play) in the past seven games for CCHS after a 2-0 start.

The Bulldogs fell to 4-5 with the loss, with a 3-5 final Region 4 record. They will have to top Oliver Springs at home next Friday night to salvage a .500 season. 

The Tigers locked up a Class 1A playoff spot with the win. A Nashville Tennessean story earlier this week had the Bulldogs in the playoffs (with the contingent “if they started today”), but the picture is still a bit unclear. What is clear is the Dawgs and Monterey both appear to have a good shot at the playoffs as a second-place finisher or wild-card qualifier. 

A Bulldog win over Oliver Springs (7-2 after a Thursday night win over Wartburg) certainly would not hurt their playoff cause.