COLUMBUS – The Troup Tigers came up just short in their season opener against the Hardaway Hawks on Friday.

Trailing 21-14, the Tigers made it to the Hawks’ 18-yard line in the closing moments, but an interception in the end zone sealed their fate.

Troup was down 21-7 in the fourth quarter when quarterback Montez Crowe found freshman Kobe Hudson in the end zone for a touchdown pass, and Carson Wreyford’s extra point made it a seven-point game with 7:05 remaining.

After the teams traded punts, Troup got the ball one final time with about 90 seconds remaining.

A big pass play from Crowe to Ken Truitt set Troup up deep in Hardaway territory before the interception.

Troup took the early lead, with Jackson Davis scoring on a 1-yard touchdown run barely a minute into the game.

Crowe completed passes to Truitt and Camren Russell to move the ball down the field.

The Hawks rallied to tie it 7-7 at the half.

In the second half, the Hawks scored on a touchdown pass to take the lead, and they recovered a fumble in the end zone in the fourth quarter to go up 21-7.

OF NOTE: For more on Friday’s game, see Monday’s sports section.

Reach Kevin Eckleberry at (706) 884-7311 or on Twitter @lagrangesports