As the final seconds ticked off the clock, a roar could be heard from the home bleachers at Homer Sharp Stadium on Friday evening.

Of course, this occurred after second-year Alcovy topped crosstown rival Newton, 23-0, for its first victory in school history.

Alcovy head coach Kirk Hoffmann was visibly moved by the way his team fought to earn the win.

"Let me tell you it's not about me," said Hoffmann. "It's about these 80 kids who have made it through all kinds of adversity and they never quit (on) me."

Alcovy running back Malachi Outlaw gained 200 yards on the ground while quarterback Ryan Ledford added 110 through the air, completing six of 16 passes. Ledford also added 48 yards on 11 carries.

The rest of the Tigers accounted for 52 yards rushing, giving Alcovy 410 yards of total offense.

"They both came to play tonight," Hoffmann said of Outlaw and Ledford. "They matured tonight."

On the first play from scrimmage, Outlaw broke a tackle and exploded up the right sideline for a 78-yard touchdown run. And the Tigers never looked back.

Alcovy wasted little time getting back to the end zone.

On its second drive Ledford took charge, finding wide receiver Eric Strozier twice, including a 39-yard pass on second and 16. The duo capped off the drive when Ledford found a wide open Strozier in the back of the end zone for a 19-yard touchdown. Kicker Timothy Walsh added the extra point to put the Tigers up, 13-0.

Alcovy proved it could do more than just play offense, holding the Rams (0-2) to a meager 17 passing yards and just seven rushing yards.

"They ran to the football," Hoffmann said. "That's what I've been telling them all along: Run to the football."

The Rams could not even muster a single first down in the game, as Alcovy's defense allowed them no room to run or enough time to pass.

In the third quarter, it was Outlaw who struck again. On third and 19 from Alcovy's own 32-yard line, Outlaw hit a huge hole and dashed to the end zone for the 68-yard score.

Alcovy's next possession was highlighted by a 20-yard Walsh field goal that put the Tigers up 23-0 with nine minutes and 29 seconds left in the game.

"I can't put (how I feel) into words," Ledford said. "Everything about this....and against Newton, who is a cross county rival everyone wants to beat."

Ledford said he felt a bit of redemption upon beating the Rams, as he was a member of their program during his freshman and sophomore years.

"I never got to play for them," he said. "And now to come out here and beat them, it's kind of like (getting) revenge."

Hoffmann said that this is just the beginning for the Tigers.

Alcovy travels to Winder-Barrow Friday, while Newton takes a week off before hosting Morrow on Sept. 21.