Tigers Slip by Rams Late to Win County Rivalry

Composed by Ronny Samford

September 2, 2017. Tenaha's Raymond Jackson Stadium –

The Tenaha Tigers Varsity Football Team trailed the Joaquin Rams 22-16 with merely 7 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter. The Rams had regained the lead moments earlier due to a 52 yard touchdown reception by Conner Bragg, from Rams quarterback Tray Wilkerson. Joaquin added a two-point conversion run by Tre Burns to gain the 6-point advantage. The Tigers used a multiple pitch kickoff return during the fleeting seconds ending with Jay Lloyd taking the final toss at the Rams 46-yard line and racing to the end zone. The score tied the game at 22-22, after time had expired. Christian Castillo added the extra point to give Tenaha the final 23-22 home win.

The Rams defense held the Tigers to just 8 yards on their opening drive. Tenaha punted the ball to Joaquin were the Rams took over at their 30-yard line early in the first quarter. The Rams’ opening drive saw them gain three first downs but the drive ultimately stalled when they failed to gain enough yardage, on fourth down at the Tigers 40 yard line, with seven minutes left in the opening period.

Tenaha capped a 60-yard drive with a 9-yard Jay Lloyd touchdown run, with 4:59 left in the first quarter. Castillo added the extra point kick to give THS a 7-0 advantage. Cahl Horn recovered a Joaquin fumble moments later and Tenaha controlled the ball until Castillo kicked a 22-yard field goal at the start of the second period. Tenaha then led 10-0.Joaquin pulled to within 10-7 when Hunter Gates scored on an 11-yard touchdown run which capped a 60-yard drive with 8:20 left in the first half. Joaquin gained their first lead after intercepting the football at midfield and returning it to the Tigers’ 26-yard line. The Rams used only four plays before Kase Yates scored on a 7-yard run, with just 6:14 left before the midway intermission, JHS led 14-10.

Castillo added a 27-yard field goal kick for Tenaha to pull the Tigers to within one point at halftime. The teams came out for the second half with the Rams ahead 14-13.

Joaquin was forced to punt after their first third-quarter drive stalled at midfield. The Rams returned the favor when they held Tenaha on their next drive by tackling a Tiger for a loss on fourth –and-four near midfield. The third period eventually ended with the hometown Tigers still trailing by a single point.

Castillo gave Tenaha a narrow 16-14 point advantage with a booming 17-yard field goal with 2:18 left in the game.

The Bragg touchdown for Joaquin and the final return for a touchdown by Lloyd, were the fourth and fifth lead changes in an explosive county rivalry contest which will likely be talked about for years to come.

Tenaha totaled 309 yards of offense, and 16 first downs. Trai Garder led THS with 67 yards on the ground and 60 receiving.

Joaquin had 279 yards of offense and Kase Yates and Hunter Gates led their team with 48 yards rushing each. Conner Bragg had two catches for the Rams gaining 93 yards.

Tray Wilkerson passed for 107 yards going 3-5 with no interceptions. CJ Horn passed for 106 yards going 7-10 with one interception.

Tenaha Head Coach Craig Horn said: “We were proud the team played hard to the final whistle. Joaquin threw the ball well. I told our kids that three years ago the Rams beat us by throwing the football well. We were blessed to have a great kicker who helped get us some points on the board. God definitely blessed us there at the end. I don’t know what we did to deserve the win. I don’t feel like we really beat Joaquin, they played just as hard. I feel like two hard working teams did what they needed to do to get better.”