TANNER – It wasn’t the big play on offense that saved Tanner in its 24-13 win over Westbrook Christian Friday. It was a big play by the Rattlers’ defense that helped secure a spot in the second round of the Class 2A playoffs.

With Tanner clinging to a 17-13 lead and Westbrook driving deep into its territory, junior defensive back Keith Shoulders knew the Rattlers’ defense needed to come up with a big play.

Shoulders came up with the biggest play of the night for Tanner when he put a bone-crushing hit on Rene Zerinque in the open field, forcing the senior wide-receiver to turn the ball over on the 36-yard line. Westbrook accumulated 30 yards in penalties immediately after the turnover due to personal fouls called on some of the Warriors and coach Tony Osborne.

“I was just trying to get to the football,” Shoulders said. “We made the play and I was able to come up with the ball. That was huge for us because the game was so close at that time. It definitely helped swing the momentum our way.”

But Tanner didn’t finish the night without its typical big offensive play. On the next play, senior running back Jarquise Peoples broke into the Warriors’ secondary and scrambled 31 yards for a touchdown. George Adams made the extra point to extend the Rattlers’ lead to 24-13.

“It was tough on the field tonight,” Peoples said. “They had a real good defense, but our offensive line did a good job of making things happen for us. Westbrook was playing at a high level, but we were able to rise up and perform at a higher level.”

Senior offensive lineman Matt Smith said the Warriors were very good up front.

“They were staying in our knees all night,” Smith said. “We had to stay down and use our strength to our advantage.”

Tanner coach LaRon White said Westbrook was every thing he expected.

“I wasn’t surprised at how well they played,” he said. “We knew they were a really good football team coming into tonight. But our guys stepped up tonight. It seemed like the more film we watched this week, the more our guys would respond.”

Tanner got on the board early when quarterback Demarcus King hit Rod Byrd on a 15-yard fade for a touchdown. Adams made the extra point.

“It was important for us to get off to a good start,” Byrd said. “That helped charge the stadium and helped us keep the momentum.”

Westbrook tied the score 7-7 in the second quarter when David Ryan ran 22 yards for a touchdown. Tanner regained the lead late in the second quarter with an 8-yard touchdown run from Tim Mason.

The Warriors came out strong in the second half when Ryan ran 5 yards for a touchdown. Ryan missed the extra point. Adams extended Tanner’s lead to four late in the third quarter with a 26-yard field goal.

“Our intensity level was a lot higher in the second half,” Adams said. “We’ve got to have that same intensity level throughout the playoffs because we’re going to see nothing but good teams.”

Peoples led Tanner offensively with 114 yards. King threw for 51 yards and a touchdown.

“We’ve been running the ball well all year,” King said. “We knew they were going to stack the box, so it was big that we were able to throw the ball with some success. The playoffs are always big here, that’s why this is such a big win.”

Westbrook finished the night with 432 yards of total offense. When asked about the game, Osborne didn’t have much to say. “I don’t have anything to say,” he said. “If I did, it would be negative.”

Tanner travels to Lineville for the second round of the Class 2A playoffs.