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It was obvious the returnees from last year had long memories of the 55-24 disturbing loss to the Harlan Hawks and the story had often been repeated to the Tigers by the coaches. The fire was there and no way that Harlan was going to be successful this time. The Tigers would score six of the seven times they took possession in the first half and never had to look back as the score was 42-7. The complete domination was evidenced by the Tiger defense that held the Hawks to 25 rushing and 97 passing in which 43 came on one play. That also includes two interceptions, one a pick six.
The first TD followed an Int. on Harlan 40 that led to a 13 pass to Cooper Reid from Chase Ames. Ian French still perfect on PATs. Next one on a 46 run by Jaceton Gotta. 14-0. Harlan put together a 75 drive for their lone score. Reid got his second TD with a 66 pass. 21-7.
On the first play of the second quarter Pete Fredenburg weaved his way up the middle from the six for his score. A penalty nullified a TD but Colten Tripp snared his second Int. and took it to the house. The final TD of the half came on an Ames to Lawson Attaway pass for eight.
In the second half the Tigers would score on a 28 pass to Merrik Bloomgren and a 37FG by French, all in the third. The Hawks would score once in the third and twice in the fourth as they allowed their starters to play all of their final game.
The win puts the Tigers in the regional semifinals opposite Medina Valley. That game will be played at the San Antonio Northside ISD Farris Football Stadium Friday. Kickoff will be 2 p.m.
Everything is working in the Tigers favor for making a deep run in the playoffs. First of all, they are healthy. They have their three top receivers that no one seems to be able to handle with the QB’s accuracy and their top running back at full speed. Both lines are controlling their side of the ball, plus the defense is playing lights out and winning the turnover battle. Have one of the best kickers in the state and best of all, they are peaking at the right time.
Game stats (DS first): First downs 18-19; Rushing 28-135, 46-244; Passing 337-154; Passes 18-27-0, 15-23-2; Punts 3-27.7, 4-35.0; Penalties 7-48, 5-45; Turnovers 1,2.
Tiger stats: Rushing: Gotta 13-118TD; Attaway 8-26; Fredenburg 4-7TD; Logan Keim 1-(-)2; Frank Accetta 1-(-)5; Ames 1(-)9. Passing: Ames 17-26-306(3TD); Keim 1-1-31. Receiving: James Montgomery 7-99; Reid 5-106 (2TD); Bloomgren 2-37TD; Ronnie Fowlkes 2-56; Ryder Mustain 1-31; Attaway 1-8TD. Int: Tripp 2(TD); PR: Ryder Frost 1-9; KOR: Judah Satterfield 1-29.
