JEWETT — The Friday Night Lights were on all over Texas Friday night and the Tigers were no exception as they traveled to Jewett-Leon to take on the Cougars.
With all the off-season workouts and early morning practices, both teams were ready to take the field, and the season opener did not disappoint.
The Tigers won the coin toss and elected to defer until the second half, and the opening kickoff by Alex Sanchez rolled into the end-zone setting up the Cougar offense on the 25-yard line.
The Cougars explosive, run-first offense took just 3 plays and 44 seconds to post a 7-0 lead. The Cougar kickoff saw Antwone Daniels return the kickoff 50-yards and gave the Tigers the ball on the Cougar 25-yard line, and four plays later, Terian Maxie found the endzone with a 4-yard run, tying the game at 7 with only 2:26 taken off the clock.
After the Tiger kickoff, the Cougars needed 10 plays to take a 14-7 lead. Not to be outdone, the Tigers took 3 plays to travel 69 yards for the score, highlighted by a 49-yard completion to Mason Dunn and a 7-yard touchdown run by Ayden DeBose. With the extra point attempt blocked, the Cougars remained in the lead 14-13.
The second quarter opened with a punt by the Tigers, as the Cougars were driving the field, Cord’e Walker stepped in front of a pass that resulted in an interception for the Tigers, but fate would not be kind, as the Tigers fumbled the ball on the next play.
Starting at the 20-yard line, the Cougars needed just 3 plays to extend their lead to 8 points. Nine plays later, Maxie again found the endzone with a 9-yard run. Adding the unsuccessful 2-point try, the Tigers narrowed the gap to 21-19. The Cougars were able to add one more touchdown before the end of the half and led 27-19 at the break.
The Tigers received the ball to open the third quarter, and as the offense was driving the field, the ball came loose and the Cougars recovered on their 36 yard line. With the halftime adjustments, the Tigers were able to force the Cougars into an incomplete pass on 4th down.
Taking over possession at their own 36-yard line, Maxie broke free down the sideline for a 64-yard touchdown, and adding the 2-point conversion, the Tigers tied the game with 6:00 left in the quarter. Six plays later the Cougars once again took a 7-point lead; not to be outdone, the Tigers took 7 plays highlighted with a 26-yard pass to DeBose for the touchdown.
Opening the 4th quarter, the Tigers led by a slim margin, 35-34. Both defenses held strong during the final quarter until the Cougars were able to regain the lead with :59 seconds remaining in the game.
The Tigers took over on their own 38-yard line trailing by 5 points. With a Cougar sack and back-to-back offsetting penalties, the Tigers were able to complete a short pass in the field of play, but a flag in the Tiger backfield indicated the play was coming back.
With 12 seconds remaining on the clock, Tiger Head Coach Shaun Stout called an immediate timeout, which was granted. After much discussion, the referee made the decision to enforce the penalty, accept the timeout, but still force a 10-second runoff of the clock, leaving the Tigers with only 2 seconds. The pass fell incomplete and ended the Tigers pursuit for a dramatic comeback win to open the season and a final score of 40-35.
A very dejected and frustrated team met with the coaches, the coaches remained positive and promised to give them all of the tools necessary to correct the mistakes made during the game.
The Tigers will again be on the road Friday Night as they travel to Groveton for a 7 p.m. kickoff to once again renew the Trinity County rivalry, giving the winner year-long bragging rights.
The newly minted Rodney Thomas Memorial Field was christened in fine fashion as the Groveton Indians downed the Alto Yellowjackets 32-30.
Commenting on the game, Head Coach Scott Green called it a big win for the Indians, one that honored the field’s namesake.
