Quitman gave the visiting Troup Tigers all they could handle in the first half of Friday’s 43-22 district football loss.

But the Bulldogs couldn’t put any more points on the board and Troup was able to pull away late.

The first half was a contrast of opposites.

Troup’s quick-strike offense had two drives of less than a minute and another under two.

But each Troup score was answered by a sustained Quitman drive, lasting from five to nine minutes.

The final drive found the goal line with just four seconds left in the half, and a two-point conversion tied things at 22.

Troup set the pace in the second half by getting the first stop of the night and forcing a Quitman punt.

The Bulldogs rallied to gain back possession on a turnover and tried to grab the lead, including a conversion on 4th and 10 to the Tiger 20.

But the 4th and six play from the 16 resulted in a huge loss on a sack, and Troup took the next play 70 yards to retake the lead 29-22.

The Bulldogs then handed back the ball at their own 38, and Troup took advantage and the first two-score lead of the night, 36-22 in the 4th quarter.

Quitman kept fighting and pushed to the Tiger 32 only to turn it over on downs again with 7:10 left in the game.

Troup added a late score for the final margin.

The Bulldogs have a bye week and resume action Oct. 13 at Edgewood.