ANDERSON — Coming off a devastating loss to Newton, and with two regular season games remaining, the Tigers visited Anderson-Shiro on Friday looking for a win.
Still in control of their destiny in their quest for a playoff appearance, the Tigers needed a victory against both the Owls and in the season finale against the New Waverly Bulldogs. On Friday, half of that goal was met with a 21-20 win over the Owls.
With the Owls and Tigers needing to win out to secure their playoff spot, Friday’s game had a playoff like atmosphere.
The Tigers kicked off to start the game, and the Owls were able to move the ball to the Tiger 29-yard line, but on 4th down the defense forced a stop with a 6-yard tackle for loss. Taking over at their own 35-yard line, the Tigers marched the ball to the Owl 5-yard line, but a holding call, a run for loss and run for no gain put the Tigers on a tough 4 & goal from the 16-yard line. A completed pass from Terian Maxie to Ayden DeBose gave the Tigers an opening drive touchdown.
The Owls’ next possession resulted in a touchdown, and on the attempt to take the lead with a 2-point conversion, Preston Lewis intercepted the tipped pass and Trinity maintained the lead at 7-6. The Tigers were again able to move the ball to the Owl 6-yard line, but a failed 4th down attempt ended the Tigers drive.
Starting on their own 6-yard line, the Owls again marched deep into Tiger territory, but an interception by Cord’e Walker at the 3-yard line ended their drive and gave the ball back to the Tigers.
Needing 97-yards to extend their lead, the Tigers took 7 plays to find the end zone highlighted by a 48-yard reception by Walker and a 20-yard touchdown run by DeBose. With the extra point, the Tigers took a 14-6 lead. The Owls were able to find holes in the defense on the next drive and put together a scoring drive and tie the score at 14 as the first half came to a close.
The Tigers received the opening kickoff of the 3rd quarter, but were forced to punt, but the Tiger defense held strong and forced the Owls to punt. The Tigers were able to put together a long drive to the Owl 31-yard line, but a quarterback sack on 4th down ended the drive.
Still tied at 14, the 4th quarter opened with the Owls on the move, and with 10:14 left in the game the Owls took a 20-14 lead off a 2-yard touchdown run. The Tigers were able to move the ball on their next possession, but a 4th down incompletion gave the ball back to the Owls. With time becoming an enemy of the Tigers, the Tigers needed the ball back and the defense came through by forcing a punt with 4:20 remaining in the game.
Starting on their own 13-yard line, the Tigers moved the ball to the 27-yard line, but on 1st down, Maxie broke free and ran 73 yards for a touchdown. Adding the extra point, the Tigers regained the lead 21-20.
The Tigers kicked off with 3:01 left needing a defensive stop to secure their lead and save the season. The Owls started at midfield and got to the Tiger 33-yard line, on 4th and 7, the Owl quarterback dropped back to pass, and Walker defended the pass forcing an incompletion and sealed the victory for the Tigers.
A very happy team and coaching staff met after the game and once the players give Coach Shaun Stout an ice-water bath from the water cooler, he expressed how proud he was of the effort and the ability to play through adversity and give themselves an opportunity to clinch their spot in the playoffs with a win over New Waverly in the final district game of the season.
The Tigers will face off against the Bulldogs Friday night at Tiger stadium as they celebrate Senior Night. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
It wasn’t pretty, but it was a win, as the Indians downed Hearne 33-18 on Friday on Senior Night.
The opening quarter was marred by numerous penalty calls and long discussions over offsetting penalties negating a score.
Stats were not immediately available.
