Tigers late rally falls short against the Zizzers

Friday night the Varsity Tigers football team welcomed the challenge of shutting down the #4 ranked West Plains Zizzers at Tiger Stadium. The Tigers defense stood tall throughout the game, accepting and meeting the challenge head on with outstanding play. The Tigers offense got into the flow of the game after coming out of halftime, scoring 3 touchdowns to keep the game in reach. West Plains scored on a short run on their first drive of the game. The Tiger defense had a bend but don’t break mentality that put the Zizzers in long down and distance situations on three occasions of the first drive. A 7-play drive for West Plains ended with a 7 yard TD run for the opening score.

The Tigers offense sputtered coming out of the gate, going 3 and out on their first possession. After punting to West Plains, the Tigers defense made West Plains earn every yard of the second possession. A 13 play drive that saw the Zizzers score on a 2 yard TD run bumped the score to 14-0. Once again, the Tiger offense came out and sputtered to a quick 3 and out for the second time. Late in the 1^st quarter, the Zizzers were on the verge of blowing the game wide open, but the Tiger defense put their foot down by holding the Zizzers scoreless for the remainder of the 1^st half. The Tigers offense caught fire on their third possession. The Tigers went on an 11 play drive and found themselves going for it on 4^th down and goal at the Zizzers 2 yard line. West Plains defense held strong and forced a turnover on downs. The first half came to an end with West Plains holding on to a 14-0 lead.

The Tigers offense made their adjustments at half time, and they paid off fast! The Tigers took the opening kickoff and three plays later, SR RB Shen Butler-Lawson to a handoff 66 yards for a TD! SR Kicker Aaron Choi tacked on the extra point to put the score to 14-7 Zizzers. The Tigers defense was sparked by the offensive success and came out and forced a turnover on downs on the very next drive. The Tigers offense sputtered throughout the remainder of the 3^rd quarter and the quarter ended with the score 14-7.

The pace of the game picked up in the 4^th quarter. West Plains scored a touchdown early to push the score to 21-7. The Tigers kickoff return unit fumbled the ensuing kickoff, and the Zizzers were able to recover and capitalize in just two plays. Just like that the Tigers found themselves in the hole 28-7 with over 10 minutes remaining in the game. West Plains took over after another 3 and out by the Tiger offense, and the Zizzers gave the Tigers a taste of their own medicine as they scored their final touchdown in a 3 play drive that was highlighted by an 82 yard screen pass for a touchdown.

Down 35-7, the Tigers offense was able to score touchdowns on back to back possessions. A 9 play drive that was capped off by JR QB Mike Lewis running in from 5 yards out. The Tigers kickoff team were able to execute the onside kick and recover the ball following the touchdown. A 7 play drive by the Tigers offense was capped off by a 12 yard TD reception by SR WR Josh Ash. The Tigers missed the extra point after Lewis’ TD run, and the Tigers failed to convert on the 2 point attempt after Ash’s TD reception setting the score at 35-19. The ensuing onside kick was recovered by West Plains and the Zizzers ran the clock out to close out the game.

Up next for the Tigers (4-3) is a showdown in Springfield against the Glendale Falcons (4-3) for a game that will set the Class 5 District 5 playoff top seed. The winner will have home field advantage for the District Playoffs which start Friday November 8.

Other Top Performers

SR RB Shen Butler-Lawson – 14 carries, 89 yds 1 TD

Soph RB Eric Richardson – 3 carries, 53 yds, 10 total tackles

SR WR Jaylen Andrews – 3 receptions, 54 yds

SR FS Josh Ash – 15 total tackles, 1 reception, 12 yds 1 TD

FR DL JaShawn Mabry-Liles – 12 total tackles

SR LB Maurice Fiame – 13 total tackles

SR LB Ian Williams – 13 total tackles