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The opening game with the Vandegrift Vipers had the scenario whereby the Tigers would be facing the defending state champions with their starting QB from that team returning while the Tigers would be missing their two-year starting QB and three-time starting running back, plus some veteran linemen. The situation was a little daunting for the Tigers but the Tigers were ready. It brings up the thought “That’s why you play the game”. The Vipers must have read their press because they were definitely not prepared for the attack the Tigers consistently put on them for the entire game.
Most were expecting a close game but gave the edge to the Vipers. Shame on us. We should know that Coach Zimmerman and his staff will always have the determined Tiger squad prepared to give a super effort and they did and were. The Tigers got the first three scores for a 20-0 lead before the half. The Vipers scored on a two-minute drive as the half ended and then opened the second half with a quick score. That made it 20-14 and left fear that the old Viper team was raising its ugly head. Not so. The Tigers would answer with three scores for the final.
Chase Ames was handed the keys to the car and showed great poise in taking control. He was accurate and was able to find his outstanding receiving corps for good yardage and scores. The linemen stepped up to give him all the protection he would need and opened the holes for RB Jaceton Gotta to have some big runs and give everyone the confidence he can handle the running chores. The DS defense continued the tradition of having stellar performances. Good programs don’t rebuild, they just reload and that is the Tigers.
Vandegrift won the toss and elected to take the ball in the second half. The Tigers moved the ball steadily but could not overcome a couple of pesky five yard penalties and punted to the 29. They forced a three and out and were back in business at the 49. Lawson Attaway blasted in from the three. Ian French made it 7-0 at the 3.49 mark. Tigers forced another punt and began a 10 play, 90 yard drive climaxed by Ames to Cooper Reid pass from the 26. French converted. 140. 6.47.
The defense stopped the Vipers again. This time a fourth down stop at the Viper 33. It was a short drive ended by a 17-yard Ames to Merrik Bloomgren pass. French hit the upright. 20-0. 2.29. French’s leg was a major asset as he put his kicks in the endzone. This time Vandegrift would drive 75 yards in 12 plays with one second left to score. 7-20.
Vandegrift pushed the 75-drive in four plays. Just that quick it was 14-20 and a scary ballgame. The Tigers went back to taking the game away from them. They responded with a 75-drive in nine, culminated with an 11pass to Gotta. Back to a more comfortable 2714. Bobby Wilkinson stopped the next with an interception. Attaway took it in from the four and the final score came on a Mateo Perez pass to Will Foreman for 53. Final. 41-14.
The Tigers will motor down the road to San Antonio to play Wagner Friday night. Kickoff is 7:00 at Rutledge Stadium.
Team stats: (DS first). First downs: 1915; Rushing: 36-133, 21-93; Passing: 312200; Passes: 19-26-0, 19-38-1; Punts: 1-22, 2-23.5; Penalties: 8-40, 5-30.
Tiger stats: Rushing: Gotta 21-76, Attaway 10-50(2TD), Perez 310, Ames 2-(-)3. Passing: Ames 18-25259(3TD); Perez 1-153TD. Receiving: Gotta 7-106TD, Reid 5-79TD, Bloomgren 3-42TD, James Montgomery 2-24, Foreman 1-53TD. KOR: Ryder Frost 143, Reid 1-30.
