Heartbreak for Tigers football opener
The Red Oak Tigers football team opened the season Friday, Aug. 26, with a bang, but was unable to control the back-and-forth battle and lost 32-28 to Southwest Valley.
In just a little over three minutes of play, Will West made a four yard run to put the Tigers on the board first. Fernando Rivera kicked the extra point and the Tigers were up 7-0.
Southwest Valley turned right around and scored on a one yard run from Jerad Shires. An extra point by Addison Bull tied the score and kept fans on the edge of their seats.
The Tigers scored last in the quarter with a 19 yard pass from quarterback Carlos Guerra to Codie Bentley. Another extra point from Rivera put the Tigers in control, 14-7, as the second quarter approached.
The Timberwolves gained possession and immediately drove the ball to the end zone, scoring on a 16-yard run by quarterback Chance Cobb. However, the kick failed and the Tigers kept the lead, 14-13.
Timberwolf Grant Maurer intercepted a pass, and Southwest Valley regained the ball. Within two plays, the Timberwolves were on the board again with a 12-yard pass to Jacob Webb. Bull’s kick was good this time and the Timberwolves gained control at the half, 20-14.
The Tigers came out strong to start the half and Guerra ran two yards into the end zone. Another good kick by Rivera put the Tigers back on top, 21-20.
For the next six minutes, possession went back and forth between the Tigers and the Timberwolves, until Brandon Flathers recovered a fumble and the Tigers seemed to gain some confidence. Guerra scored a touchdown on a 12-yard run and Rivera made the kick to end the third quarter, 28-20.
The Tigers defense began the final quarter by holding the Timberwolves on the two yard line and gaining possession. However, the Timberwolves came right back, and Shires scored on a five-yard run. The Timberwolves tried for a two-point conversion, but the Tigers defense stopped the play. The score was 28-26.
The back-and-forth battle continued throughout the quarter, but with 2:03 left, Cobb ran the ball 11 yards for a Timberwolves touchdown. Another failed two-point conversion left the score 32-28.
The Tigers steadily marched the ball down the field and a 53-yard pass caught by Mario Lepe had the Tigers within scoring range. The tide changed with a nullified touchdown due to a penalty and a sack on Guerra the following play. With 19 seconds left, the Tigers had four yards to go and were on their fourth down. The play failed, and the Timberwolves let the clock run out to defeat the Tigers.
Southwest Valley coach Anthony Donahoo, a first-year head coach said, “That’s how you start your career off. With all the chips stacked against them, the offense moved the ball, and the defense stopped the ball. Southwest Valley isn’t supposed to win games like this.”
The Tigers were led by Guerra with 23 rushing yards, two touchdowns, and 123 passing yards. Connor Johnson had 77 yards on 18 carries, totaling another 112 yards with kickoff and punt returns. West ended the night with 45 total yards and 15.5 tackles, 11 solo. Isaac Bower totaled twelve tackles in the game.
“Don’t ever underestimate your opponent,” Tiger Cam Pryor said after the game.
Timberwolves leaders were Cobb with 265 yards, 185 of those passing. Shires added 110 rushing yards and Bull contributed 115 yards receiving.
On defense, Jace Petersen totaled six tackles in the game, with half of those being solo tackles. Scott Palmer brought down three.
The Tigers travel to Treynor on Friday, Sept. 2 to take on the Cardinals. Treynor lost its opener to Underwood last Friday night, 35-7.