TRINITY — Coming off a 3-2 non-district schedule, the Tigers opened district play at home on Friday by hammering the Huntington Red Devils 66-6.
Prior to kickoff and during the game, the Tigers honored the Little Tigers which include the Youth Football League and cheerleaders and the TMS Cheerleaders.
The Tigers took the opening kickoff and four plays later, Terian Maxie hooked up with Chance Barron for a 47-yard touchdown pass. Leading 6-0, the Tiger defense forced a quick 3 and out. Following the punt, the Tigers took over on their own 29-yard line.
With a Maxie run of 36 yards, an Ayden DuBose catch of 5 yards and a 30-yard touchdown run by Antwone Daniels, the Tigers took a 12-0 early lead. The Red Devils were able to put together a 72-yard scoring drive on their next possession to tighten the score to 12-6 as time wound down in the first quarter. The Red Devils caught the Tiger kick return team by surprise and was able to regain control of the ball as time wound down in the first quarter.
The Tigers forced another punt and took over on the 13-yard line. Thirteen plays later, Maxie made a 4-yard touchdown run giving the Tigers an 18-6 advantage. A Red Devil 55-yard kick off return set up the Tigers with their back to the goal line at the 21-yard line.
On the first play, Cord’e Walker went up and intercepted the ball at the 10-yard line, and 90 yards later gave the Tigers a 26-6 lead with the successful 2-point try. Still refusing to give ground, the defense forced a quick punt, and with 1:10 left in the first half, Maxie again found Barron for an 18-yard touchdown pass, and a commanding 33-6 lead at halftime.
The second half started with the Tigers on defense and again a forced punt. Setting up on the Tiger 31-yard line, the Tigers marched down the field and DuBose capped off the drive with an 8-yard touchdown run. Forcing another quick exit by the Red Devil offense, The Tigers took over and 43 yards later, Envion Castro made its 6-yard run into the endzone further extending the lead to 46-6.
After forcing yet another punt, the Tigers took over at the 44-yard line and took 4 plays for Maxie to hook up with Walker for a 36-yard touchdown pass. Forcing another punt, the Tigers took over at the 23-yard line and on the third play of the drive Maxie broke free for a 66-yard run for the score. Kicking off with a 59-6 lead, the defense gave the offense yet another opportunity to extend the lead, following a 46-yard punt return by Daniels, the Tigers drove out final 36 yards to the end-zone capped off by a Jadrion Harris 5-yard touchdown run and a 66-6 final for the Tigers.
Maxie logged 209 passing yards for 3 TDs and 241 rushing yards for 3 TDs. Ayden Debose, Envion Castro, Jadrion Harris all had rushing touchdowns
Chance Barron posted 6 catches for 146 yards and 2 TDs, and Cord’e Walker racked up 58 yards receiving for a touchdown.
The Tigers offense scored on 9 of 9 possessions and gained 551 net yards for the evening, while the defense was equally dominating as they allowed only 102 net yards, gave up only 6 points, and had an interception returned 90 yards for the touchdown.
The Tigers will be on the road Friday Night facing a very tough Palestine Westwood Panther team that is coming off a loss to start district play. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m.
The Indians dropped a Friday tilt against Corrigan-Camden 26-16.
Head Coach Scott Green said that while the team played their hearts out, too many little mistakes kept Groveton out of the lead.
Brayden Reynolds rushed for right at 100 yards, while Ruger McClain had a couple good catches and a roughly 40 TD reception. Jace Taylor and Blake Chaney each had 2 catches apiece.
Mason Brenski led the defense in tackles.
