Tigers hold on for OT win
A not-so-funny thing happened in the district opener with New Braunfels Canyon in the 48-45 victory in overtime to stay undefeated. After a smooth first half with the Tigers surging ahead 35-17, the second half was anything but smooth. It was a fumble here, an interception there and a mix of onside kicks. In all the Tigers gave the ball back to the Cougars eight times, mostly in the second half. In district play, the games mean much more and the effort will be more concerted and intense. It was good to hold on for the win, but the Canyon game should have gotten the Tigers' attention.
It looked to be business as usual as the Tigers scored on their first three possessions to take a 21-0 lead after one. NBC took the opening KO and moved the ball down to the 33 before running out of downs. The Tigers covered the 67 yards in just four plays with the final 49 yards coming on an Austin Novosad to Kyle Koch pass and some nifty running by Koch. Walker Wright, who has not missed an EP this season, nailed it to make it 7-0 with 8:34 showing.
An almost identical situation came up for NB's second drive. It began on the 35 and seven plays later ran out of downs on the 31. This time it would take five plays. Preston Alford, who was held out last week, did not miss a beat in the game even though it was obvious Canyon was setting their defense for him. He opened it with a 10 run and finished it with a 28 score. 14-0. 4.41 remaining. The pooch kick by Javier Ortega bounced off the receivers chest and a Tiger claimed it at the Cougars 49. Garon Duncan, who had missed the first three games, took a pass from Novosad and was knocked out of bounds at the three. A run was stopped for no gain but the Novosad-Koch combination took care of it for a 21-0 advantage.
Canyon, who had been able to move the ball between the 30s, finally put together a sustained drive to score on a one run to make it 21-7. The Tigers were immediately intercepted but Luka Picucci returned the favor a few plays later and returned it to the 43. The drive was climaxed by a 7 pass from Novosad to Wright. The NBC QB sprinted in from the 34 to make it 28-14. The Tigers immediately embarked on an 85 drive. Eight plays later Novosad to Koch covered the final 18. The Tigers forced a punt but a muff gave it right back and Canyon would drive it down and kick a 34 yard FG with 14 seconds remaining.
This game had some special meaning to Coach Zimmerman as well. With this win, he would tie Howard Ballard for the most career wins at DS with 55. It looked like a done deal but Canyon had other ideas.
The Tigers were stopped on downs on their first possession and Canyon's drive was stopped when Kayden Mims came up with a fumble. A 2-play, 47 drive was finished by a 46 swing pass to Alford and that 42-17 looked safe. However, Tiger miscues aided the cause as Canyon would score three TD's, one FG and a two-point conversion to bring it all the way back to even. The Tiger defense was forced to be on the field much of the second half but they were able to hold strong in the final possessions. This includes holding NBC to a FG in the first OT. This meant the Tigers knew what it would take to win the game. Even so, DS ended up with a 4th and one at the 16. The FG team was sent out for the chip shot and then recalled. Coach decided to put on their Big Boy Pants and put it all on the line. Not a big stretch when your big boy is Alford. He powered in for two hard-earned yards and then finished the game with a 14 run. No EP on winning TD's.
Friday night the Tigers will be entertaining SA McCollum in their second district game, plus Tiger alumni as it is homecoming with all those activities. Kickoff is 7:30.
Game stats (DS first): First downs; 21-29; Rushing; 23-162, 46-112; Passing: 450-370; Passes: 25-34-3, 25-45-1; Punts: 0-0, 3-34.7; Penalties: 7-83, 6-55; Fumbles lost: 5-5, 2-2.
Tiger stats: Rushing: Alford 20-147 2TD; Luke Hudson 3-15; Passing: Novosad 25-34-450-3 5TD; Receiving: Alford 6-116 TD; Wright 6-76 TD; Koch 4-74 3TD; Duncan 3-74; Noah Lawyer 3-40; Greyson Jones 2-35; Boston Papp 1-45; KOR: Jaylon Sams 4-72; Luke Hudson 2-37; FR: Mims; Int: Picucci.
DS tackling (Unassist/asst): Picucci 7-4, Bryson Amrine 4-7, Derek Edgar 8-2, Shel Hudson 4-4, Gabriel Quintana 2-3, Caden Tracy 3-1, Luke Gonzales 3-1, Parker Cooke 1-3, Kellen Vickery 2-1, John Martinez 1-2, Nathan Prehar 0-5, Daniel Cleveland 2-0, Wyatt Leschber 1-1, Mims 1-1, Keller Stafford 2-0, Gunnar Betts 1-0, Owens Rhodes 1-0, Blake DeSilva 0-1.