AUBURN — The Valley Rams freshman football team fell to Auburn’s ninth-grade team 19-13 on Monday night.

Valley scored on its opening drive that was capped by a Bentley Green extra point before giving up three consecutive scoring drives to Auburn before halftime to give the Tigers a 19-7 advantage going into the break. The Rams scored another touchdown with 3:40 remaining in the fourth quarter. Valley ultimately came up short in its last offensive drive with a chance to win with a touchdown.

“Our kids played really hard tonight,” Valley ninth-grade head football coach Thomas Hill said. “I’m proud that they were giving it all they had in that second half and in the fourth quarter.”

Running back Tykale Foreman returned to having another 100-plus rushing yard game with 121 yards and a touchdown with 16 carries on the night. Quarterback John White rushed for 19 yards on three attempts.

Athlete M.J. Atkinson appeared to have another solid showing at quarterback, going 5-for-13 in the air for 37 passing yards in the effort. White went 1-for-2 for 17 yards and a touchdown.

Wide receiver Kalen Sherrell led all Ram receivers, reeling in five catches for 30 yards. Atkinson was the second-leading receiver on the night, catching one ball for 17 yards.

On the defensive side of the ball, Hunter Burdette had 11 tackles total and three tackles for a loss. Lamonta Gilbert and Dylan Earle each had five tackles and two tackles for a loss. Cross Colley had four tackles, including one for a loss.