Franklin County (4-1) dealt the Marshall County Tigers (5-1) their first loss of the season on the links when they swept a tri-match against MCHS and Fayetteville on Thursday afternoon at Saddle Creek Golf Course.

The Rebels had two players break 40 in the match and posted a team score of 160 after playing the front nine holes at Saddle Creek. Having shot 159 and 162 in their two previous matches this week, the Tigers took a step back on Thursday and tallied a 172, while Fayetteville finished a distant third with a 229.

Too little practice

"We played a lot this week and I feel like we didn't practice as much as we needed too. We haven't been on the driving range and haven't been on the putting greens," said MCHS coach Alex Phelps. "I also think we were a little too excited about being undefeated going into the school year and maybe lost our focus today."

Although he had to overcome a triple bogey on the fourth hole, Franklin County's Chase Wheeler recorded the best round of the day and shot a one-over par 37 with the help of two birdies. Justin Smith also turned in a strong performance and followed Wheeler with a 39, while Sam Penny carded a 41. Jace Smith notched a 43 for the Rebels as well.

Despite getting off to a shaky start and bogeying the first two holes, senior Brooks Leftwich delivered another solid round for the Tigers and led MCHS with a 40.

Coming through

"I was proud of Brooks because he got off to a rough start, but managed to salvage the round with a few pars and a birdie on the last hole," said Phelps.

Patrick Kennedy also carded a 41 for Marshall County, while Zach Smith and Wilson Limbaugh shot a 44 and a 47 respectively.

Luke West paced Fayetteville with a 45 and Heath Jeffries fired a 53. Nick McGee notched a 63 as well, while Will Clark notched a 68. Fayetteville's Caytlin Plunkett was the lone girl to play in the match and shot a 49, but her round did not count toward FHS' team score.