Tailan Hall ran for four touchdowns as Tanner outscored Lamar County 64-55 on Thursday in the first round of the Class 2A playoffs.

Hall scored from 11, 8, 10 and 66 yards for the host Rattlers at Rip Swanner Stadium in Tanner. Lamar County led 34-20 at halftime.

Tanner (8-3) took its first lead early in the fourth quarter when Skylar Townsend caught a 20-yard touchdown pass from Karl Parham. The pair also connected for scores from 43 and 26 yards. Parham had a 10-yard touchdown run.

Endy Tyus scored the Rattlers’ first touchdown on a 21-yard run midway in the first quarter.

Jordan Godsey ran for six touchdowns for Lamar County (7-4). The Bulldogs also scored on Alexander Bradford’s 20-yard run and his touchdown pass to Dalton Adams, a catch-and-run that covered 64 yards.

A costly fumble by Lamar County at the end of the third quarter led to Townsend’s go-ahead score.

“Second half offensively we were able to throw the ball,” Tanner coach Oscar Bonds said. “And our quarterback Karl Parham was making plays with his legs. I thought we were pretty balanced tonight. And defensively we made just enough stops to get the win and caused a crucial turnover.”

Play of the game: Lamar County’s fumble gave Tanner the ball on the Bulldogs’ 20. Parham connected with Townsend two plays later. Oliver Gonzalez kicked the extra point to put the Rattlers up 50-49 with 11:26 left.

Stat sheet: Tanner – Hall had 17 carries for 160 yards and four touchdowns. Townsend had seven catches for 146 yards and three touchdowns. Parham completed 18-of-28 passes for 273 yards and three touchdowns and he had 14 carries for 170 yards and a touchdown. Darrell Howard, senior noseguard, made 10 tackles. Lamar County – Godsey had 39 carries for 295 yards and six touchdowns. Bradford completed 11-of-16 passes for 246 yards and a touchdown.

By the numbers: 642 – Tanner total yards with 369 rushing and 273 passing. 570 – Lamar County total yards with 324 rushing and 246 passing. 1 – turnover by Lamar County and one punt apiece by each team. 3 – Tanner wins in four games against the Bulldogs all-time.

Game ball: Hall, a senior, made a difference for the Rattlers with his four touchdowns, three in the second half.

Coachspeak: “We’ve got to clean up the penalties – personal fouls, holding. And we’ve got to play better defense for sure.” – Bonds.

“I think it was a great high school football game. I thought both teams’ offenses played really well, both teams’ defenses kind of struggled. I’m proud of both teams. I think the world of Coach Bonds, I think he does a great job. And I congratulate them. It could’ve gone either way. Their kids found a way to win at the end.” – Lamar County coach Robert Bradford.

They said it: “It’s my team, they gave me the energy. Without them I wouldn’t have done it. They pushed me through.” – Hall.

“We just fought through adversity. We just stayed together as a team.” – Tyus.

“They came out and jumped on us first quarter, and it was mostly all coming together as a team, as a unit. Mostly we’ve got athletes. Pecking order, get your playmakers the ball.” – Parham.

“We just played together and dominated up front. We dogs.” – Howard.

“Just knowing that we were never out of the game and just staying in the game. Being in shape helped us outrun them. They got tired.” – Townsend.

Next week: Tanner plays the winner of Pleasant Valley-Pisgah in the second round of the 2A playoffs.