WOODVILLE — The Tigers travelled to Woodville Friday night to begin district play against the No. 8-ranked Eagles, coming home with their first loss from what was their toughest opponent to date.
The Eagles received the opening kickoff to begin what would be a marathon first quarter. The Eagles combined running and passing on their first drive to march 75 yards to the end zone. The Tigers opening possession began with a 29-yard completion to Chance Barron and three plays later, Terian Maxie took off for an 8-yard touchdown run.
Tied 7-7, the Eagles drove 60-yards and took a 14-7 lead after the Tigers were forced to punt, the Eagles extended their lead to 21-7, with a 58-yard touchdown drive. The Eagles’ kickoff resulted in a loose ball recovery by the Eagles and a one play 10-yard touchdown pass giving the Eagles a 28-7 lead. The Tigers fortunes did not improve on their next drive as a fumble gave the ball back to the Eagles on the Tiger 28-yard line. The Eagles again found the end zone and took a 34-7 lead.
The Tigers took possession and on the third play, Maxie broke free for a 42-yard touchdown run. The first quarter finally ended with the Eagles leading 34-14.
The Tigers were able to force a field goal attempt on the Eagles’ opening possession of the second quarter, but it sailed wide. The Tigers responded with a 13-play, 85-yard scoring drive and Maxie scoring from 2 yards out. Leading 34-21, the Eagles were again forced to attempt a field goal, but again it sailed wide.
With 2:41 left in the half, the Tigers took over at their own 19-yard line, a 48-yard pass to Cove Copley and a 23-yard run from Maxie highlighted the Tigers next drive as Maxie was able to punch it in from 1-yard out and narrow the lead to 34-28 with :30 remaining in the half. The Eagles were able to break free for a 41-yard pass to the Tiger 3-yard line, and with 7 seconds remaining found the end zone and took a 42-28 lead into the locker room at halftime.
The Tigers began the third quarter with the ball, but failed to convert on fourth down, the Tiger defense was able to force the Eagles to also turn the ball over on downs. With a forced Tiger punt on their next possession, the Eagles took two plays to score and extended the lead to 48-28. The Tigers fumbled their next possession and with a pass interference call against the Tigers, the Eagles again scored and took command of the of the game with a 54-28 lead. The Tigers were forced to punt, and as time ran out in the third quarter, the Eagles scored and took a 62-28 lead into the final quarter.
The Tigers opened the fourth quarter with the ball and with a 19-yard run by Maxie a 50-yard completion to Lahnam Reynolds, Maxie punched the ball in from 5 yards out. Trailing 62-35, the Tigers forced an Eagle punt. Starting at their own 12-yard line, the Tigers moved the ball to the Eagle 19-yard line, but a fumble ended the drive. The Tigers again forced the Eagles to punt and a blocked kick by Matthew Bivens would have given the Tigers another scoring opportunity, but as the ball rolled past the line of scrimmage, it hit one of the Tigers and the ball was recovered by the Eagles. With 1:55 left in the game, the Eagles again scored and took a 68-35 victory over the Tigers.
Head Coach Shaun Stout said he was proud of the effort and never giving up throughout the game. He explained that mistakes were made that needed to be corrected and was confident in the outlook for the remaining games of the season.
“Our boys played extremely hard,” Stout said. “They have nothing to be ashamed of. Woodville was the No. 8 team in the state of Texas 3A Division 2. We had more than 472 yards of total offense.”
Offensive standouts were Turbo Maxie with more than 223 yards rushing with 5 touchdowns, and 187 yards passing. Cove Copley, Ja’Marian Corley, Chance Barron and the entire offensive line were standouts.
Defensive standouts were Tyler Harris, Ja'Marian Corley, Keadrick Spillman, Jadrian Harris, Darryn Bass, and Cayden Knight.
The Tigers will celebrate Homecoming Friday night as they host the Kountze Lions at Tiger Stadium. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. with the Homecoming ceremonies beginning at 6:30.
The Eagles notched another win on Friday, downing Leverett’s Chapel 50-46.
Offensive leaders were quarterback Kayden Roden, who completed 12 of 28 for 401 yards and five TDs.
For receiving, Peyton Williams caught seven for 163 yards and two TDs; Bradyn Kaufman caught two for 60 yards and two TDs; Rance Howell caught two for 65 yards; and Blaize McSwain pulled in a 65-yard pass for a TD.
On the ground, Bradyn Kaufman had four carries for 75 yards and a TD; Blaize McSwain had four carries for 73 yards; and Peyton Williams had a carry for 21 yards.
Defensively, Bradyn Kaufman: 24 tackles and 13 tackles for loss; Kayden Roden had 14 tackles, two tackles for loss and an interception; Peyton Williams had eight tackles and a fumble recovery; and Rance Howell had 10 tackles.
Peyton Williams had three kick returns for 112 yards and 1 TD.
The Indians were outclassed by Frankston 58-7 in the district opener.
Head Coach Scott Green said they knew going in that Frankston was “dang good,” and Frankston “got after us and we didn’t respond.”
“They stacked the box and put the brakes on our running game,” Green said. “Still, Ty Torregrossa had a few completions with Blake Chaney, Gunner Wilson, Ruger McClain and Brenton Cossey.”
Green said the best play of the night was a kickoff return for a TD by Ramello Wolfe.
