TRINITY — The Trinity Tigers and Groveton Indians clashed Friday Night in the Rivalry of Highway 94 2025 Edition, with Trinity capturing the win 42-38.
With each team coming off convincing victories to start the season, the teams did not disappoint as the victor was not decided until the final minutes of the game.
The Indians started on offense and were forced to punt, but a bad snap set up the Tigers on the Indian 47-yard line. The Tigers took 5 plays, capped with a 22-yard touchdown run by Terian Maxie, to take the early lead at 7-0. The Indians took the 9 plays to march to the Tiger 3-yard line, but the Tiger defense stopped them and forced a Gabe Constante field goal. The Tigers lead 7-3 at the end of the first quarter.
The second quarter began with the Indians driving down the field and Ramello Wolfe capped the drive with a 9-yard touchdown run, giving the Indians a 10-7 lead. The Tigers quickly answered the Indians’ score with a three-play touchdown drive that covered 69-yards, highlighted by a 58-yard run by Terian Maxie that put the Tigers back in the lead 14-10.
The Indians were forced to punt on their next possession, and the Tigers were again able to put together an eight-play touchdown drive highlighted by a 35-yard touchdown pass from Maxie to Corde’ Walker. Adding the 2-pointerceptions conversion, the Tigers extended their lead to 22-10. The defenses were able to hold for the remainder of the first half and kept the score unchanged as the bands of both schools entertained the crowd at halftime.
The Tigers received the opening kick of the third quarter and marched 75 yards on six plays and again Maxie found Walker for the 26-yard touchdown reception. With the successful 2-pointerceptions play, the Tigers led 30-10 with 9:40 left in the third quarter. The Indians were able to maintain control of the ball for over 6 minutes and drive the ball to the Tiger 3-yard line, but the Tiger defense was able to deny the Indians the end zone and forced and turnover on downs.
On first and 10 for the Tigers on their own 6 yard line, a great push by the Indian defense forced a fumble in the end zone and with the recovery and adding the extra point, the Indians were able to narrow the Tigers lead to 30-17. The Tigers offense took over on the 23-yard line and three plays later Maxie again broke free and raced 67 yards for another touchdown. After the extra point attempt failed, the Tigers took a 36-17 lead into the fourth quarter.
With 11:06 left in the game, Trystin Ard broke free for a 19-yard touchdown run, and the Indians were again able to cut into the Tigers lead at 36-24. The Tigers were again able to put a scoring drive together and on 4th and 9 when Maxie completed a 36-yard touchdown pass to Walker to give the Tigers a 42-24 lead with 8:11 remaining.
The Indians were again able to cut into the lead on a 6-play scoring drive capped by a 18-yard touchdown run by Ard. With 5:47 left in the game and the Tigers leading by 11, the Indians lined up for an onside kick and were able to recover the ball and set up the Indians for another scoring drive when Ramello Wolfe punched it in from 2 yards out, cutting the Tigers lead to 4. The Indians again lined up for an onside kick, but the Tigers were able to recover.
The Indian defense forced the Tigers to punt. The Indians were able to break free on a long run, but the Tiger defense was able to punch the ball out and with the recovery, the Tigers were able to run out the clock and seal the 42-38 victory over the Indians.
Each team had players that were proven to be almost unstoppable for the evening. Standing tall for the Indians were Trystin Ard, Ramello Wolfe and Ty Torregrossa, and for the Tigers, Terian Maxie and Cord’e Walker were the most impactful players.
Groveton Head Coach Scott Green said it wasn't the result they wanted but they learned a lot about themselves.
“This team has the ability to be as good as they want to be,” he said. “The talent is here, but they have to compete at a high level every snap from beginning to end. The game is four quarters and we are gonna have to grind for all of it.”
He said Ty Torregrosssa had a great game at the QB position.
“He is our trigger guy and executed our offense and is gonna get better every week,” Green said.
The offensive line, and backs Trystin Ard, Ramello Wolfe, and Gunner Wilson were successful. Defensively, Trystin Ard, Haygen Townsend, Bryce Williams, and Colton Cox played soundly on the line, Green said.
Trinity Head Coach Shaun Stout said the offensive line stood out really well in the win, and Keadric Spillman, Jamarion Corley, Jace Gambill, and Tyler Harris stood out on the defense.
Although this was a clash of rivals, the game was played with sportsmanship by both players and coaches and each fanbase should be proud of the way each team represented their school.
The Indians will return home Friday Night as they host the Lovelady Lions, and the Tigers will travel to West Hardin to take on the Oilers.
The Eagles hammered Penelope 62-16 in six-man action on Friday.
On offense, Kayden Roden completed 14 of 25 (56 percent) for 332 yards and 5 touchdowns
Bradyn Kaufman rushed 7 times for 160 yards and 3 touchdowns, while Blaize McSwain rushed 4 times for 32 yards and a touchdown.
In receiving, Peyton Williams caught 6 for 140 yards and 3 touchdowns; Rance Howell had 1 catch for 44 yards and a touchdown; Joseph Ocasiones caught 3 for 101 yards and a touchdown; Ethan LeBlanc had 3 catches for 18 yards; and Bradyn Kaufman caught 2 for 29 yards.
Rance Howell had a 43-yard kick return for a touchdown.
On defense, Peyton Williams had 9 tackles, 1 tackle for a loss, 1 interception, 1 caused fumble and 1 fumble recovery; Bradyn Kaufman had 12 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, 1 caused fumble; Blaize McSwain 10 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, 1 fumble recovery; Joseph Ocasiones had 8 tackles, 1 fumble recovery; Rance Howell had 5 tackles, 3 tackles for loss; Ethan LeBlanc had 5 tackles; Kayden Roden had 3 tackles; Liam Gregory had 2 tackles; Tripp Turner had 1 tackle; and Kameron Lee had 1 tackle.
