Tigers subdue Lions

Going into the third game of the year against Lockhart, the odds-on bet was the Tigers would remain undefeated and continue their domination of the Lions. DS holds a 9-2 edge and extended it to 10-2 with a 49-15 win. It was the final contest leading into district play against Canyon Friday night.

Even with their leading rusher, Preston Alford, shelved for the week due to an injury, no one doubted the ease of the outcome. To prove this, on the very first offensive play, Austin Novosad hit Greyson Jones in stride over the middle and let him leg it the rest of the way to complete the 70 TD play. Walker Wright, who was true on all seven EP's made it 7-0 with 11.39 still showing. Even though this one looked easy, the rest of the night was made a little tougher by the excellent play of the Lion defenders who stuck with the Tiger receivers and made many great saves.

After forcing the Lions to punt it was back to work. It took eight plays to negotiate 59 yards climaxed by a one yard Novosad to Boston Papp pass for the score. 14- 0. 7.22. Yet another punt, yet another 8-play drive. This one 75 yards. Luke Hudson would tote the ball the first four times to the 32. Novosad would hit Kyle Koch for the final 14. 21-0. 2.16.

At this point, the Tigers may have lost a little intensity and consecration or it may have been from a concerted effort by the Lions. Whatever, Lockhart would be stopped short by the Tiger defense and the Lions would settle for a 34FG. A Shel Hudson interception put the ball on the Lion 45 with 1.03 remaining. Cousin Luke took it to the five on a swing pass from Novosad and then ran it in from the five to make it 28-3 at half.

Containing the Lion QB in the third quarter proved difficult as he would score on runs of 11 and 72. Sandwiched in-between were TD passes of two to Jones and 44 to Koch to make it 42-15 after three. Midway of the fourth saw Jaylon Sams haul in a 6 pass for his first TD of the season and the final points put on the board.

Friday night the Tigers will open district play at NB Canyon. The Cougars lost heavily from last year but were still pre-season favorites to contend. Presently they are 1-2. However, as one knows it is 0-0 in district. Kickoff will be 7:30pm.

Game stats (DS first): First downs 18-14; Rushing 24-178, 39-268; Passing 289-91; Passes 19-32-1, 13-26-1; Punts 2-53.0, 4-34.3; Penalties 7-65, 3-15; Fumbles lost 0-0, 1-1.

Tiger individual: Rushing: L. Hudson 19-163 TD; Novosad 1-12; Jacob Mann 3-2; Wright 1-1. Passing: Novosad 18-31-291-1, 6TD; Wright 1-1-(-)2; Receiving: Koch 6-91, 2TD; Jones 3-90, 2TD; Noah Lawyer 3-47; Sams 2-19 TD; L. Hudson 1-40, Boston Papp 1-1 TD; Riley Maher 1-(-)2. PR: S. Hudson 2-22; KOR: Sams 1-25; Papp 21; L. Hudson 1-18. Int: S. Hudson; FR: Gunnar Betts.

DS Tackling (Unassist/Asst): Luka Picucci 9-5, Bryson Amrine 5-4, Gabriel Quintana 5-4, Parker Cooke 5-3, Caden Tracy 3-2, Owen Rhodes 4-1, Derek Edgar 4-1, Keller Stafford 3-1, Wyatt Leschber 3-1, Nathan Prehar 2-1, Chase Whisenant 2-0, Betts 1-1, Kayden Mims 1-1, S. Hudson 1-0, Anthony Abbgy 1-0, John Willars 1-0, Elijah Gonzalez 0-2, John Martinez 0-1, Blake DeSilva 0-1, Tate Staker 0-1, Brandon Peters 0-1.