The Varsity Waynesville Tigers football team rolled into Rolla with a 2 game winning streak and a (3-2) record. After a classic battle the Tigers rolled out with a 3 game win streak and a victory over the Bulldogs for the first time in 5 years.

A back and forth affair started with the Tigers defense holding the Bulldogs offense on the opening drive as Rolla attempted to convert on 4^th down. That change of possession lead to the Tigers offense having great field position, and 6 plays later the Tigers scored on a 35 yard TD run by SR RB Shen Butler-Lawson. Butler-Lawson would score on 4 rushing TDs on the night adding the other scores all in the second half.

It was a back and forth affair the rest of the way in the first half with both teams exchanging TDs taking a 21-21 tie into halftime. The Tigers second offensive possession was capped off by an electric 59 yard TD run by JR WR AJ Martin late in the 1^st quarter. The Tigers third TD came in the 2^nd quarter with JR QB Mike Lewis tossing up a 19 yard pass to JR WR Jared Hyatt who made an acrobatic catch as he skied over a Rolla defensive back to haul in the ball.

The second half started with the Tigers offense marching the ball right down the field on a 13-play drive that took almost 7 minutes off the clock. The drive brought about Butler-Lawson’s second TD run of the night from 7 yards out on a 3^rd and goal. That served to be the only score of the 3^rd quarter for the Tigers, but the 4^th quarter brought about major fireworks!

On Waynesville’s next offensive possession, Butler-Lawson scored from 45 yards out as he out raced the Bulldog defense down the left sideline.  On the next Rolla possession, the Tiger defense made another stand and forced the Bulldogs into a 4^th and long requiring a Punt attempt. A faulty snap by Rolla, and mass Punt block attempt from the Tiger defense, lead to a short 12 yard distance for the Tiger offense to score. Waynesville converted on the very next play with Butler-Lawson scoring on his 4^th rushing TD on the night!

With a 2 touchdown lead late in the 4^th quarter, the Tigers all but had the game won, but the Bulldogs had one last push left in them. Rolla drove down the field and scored once again to bring the score to a one possession 42-35 ball game. Rolla attempted an onside kick that was recovered by Waynesville SR WR Saul DeHart. The Tigers began to run the clock out and put the game out of reach for good when JR QB Mike Lewis ran off the right side for a 38 yard TD to seal the game 49-35! The Tiger defense stepped on the field one more time and held the Bulldogs on 4^th down with just under 2 minutes remaining in the game, and the Tigers took two kneel downs to run out the clock.

Next up for Waynesville (4-2) is a home game vs the defending Ozark Conference Champion West Plains Zizzers (5-1). It will also be Military Appreciation Night in Tigers country. Friday Oct. 11 at Tiger Stadium; 7 pm kickoff.

Other Top Performers

SR DL Devon Smith – 17 total tackles

SR LB Maurice Fiame – 18 total tackles

SR LB Ian Williams – 12 total tackles

FR DL JaShawn Mabry-Lyles – 9 total tackles, 1 tackle for loss, 1 sack

SR DB Kevin Poinsette – 14 total tackles

SR DB Deron Anderson – 12 total tackles

JR QB Mike Lewis – 7/10 passing for 76 yards 1 TD, 12 carries 80 yards 1 TD

SR RB Shen Butler-Lawson – 16 carries 194 yards 4 TDs

JR WR Jared Hyatt – 1 reception 19 yards 1 TD