Linden knew it was going to be in for a dog fight Friday night against Billingsley. Conversely, the Patriots also knew they would need a big game from their senior stalwart in order to advance to round three and extend their dream season.

And, just as he has done all season, Maurice Tate delivered in a big, big way.

The fullback again assumed the mantle of workhorse as he toted the ball 26 times in the game, compiling 290 yards and three touchdowns while leading Linden to a 33-32 win and a round three date with Loachapoka.

The Linden leader’s night included four runs of 35 yards or more. With each chunk of Marengo County turf he put behind him, Tate chewed up a little more of the Bears’ hopes.

The senior also stepped up at linebacker, recording seven stops in the contest as his presene in the middle forced Billingsley to continually bounce its running game to the edges.

While his defensive effort carried his 2008 tackle totals to well over 100, it was his offensive output that proved the most glaring.

Tate has now carried the ball 219 times on the season for a total of 2,117 yards and 41 touchdowns.

But for Tate, the only number that matters at this juncture of the season is zero. That’s how many losses the Patriots have suffered this year. It is also the exact number of defeats he intends on his team experiencing by the conclusion of the AHSAA, Class 1A playoffs.