Athens Bruce Field on Thursday, November 16, 2023 –
The Tenaha Tigers trailed during the middle stages of Thursday’s Texas UIL Football Area Playoff with the Dawson Bulldogs. Tenaha gained the first lead of the game after Dawson fumbled early and then committed a pass interference penalty giving the Tigers the football in their own redzone. Junior Tigers quarterback Brikelian Keeney scored on a keeper run for a 15-yard touchdown which gave the Tigers a 6-0 lead with 9:08 minutes left in the first quarter.
In the second period Bulldogs sophomore quarterback Brant Boatright hit senior Colby Springer for a 20-yard touchdown reception. An extra point kick by junior kicker Benji Covington gave the Bulldogs a narrow 7-6 point lead with 10:59 left in the second frame. Covington scored again with a 30-yard run with 5:05 left before halftime and Dawson took a 14-6 lead which held up till halftime.
Tenaha scored on the opening drive of the second half when senior receiver Kamarion Ross took a handoff for a 2-yard scoring run with 9:12 left in the third stanza. A 2-point conversion try failed and THS trailed by a 14-12 score.
Senior Tigers kicker Christian Rodriguez gave THS a narrow 15-14 lead when he booted a 25-yard field goal with 8:05 left in the final period.
Dawson soon after turned the ball over on downs and Tenaha took over possession with 6:20 remaining in the contest. Tenaha quarterback Kenney wasted no time and he scored on a 38-yard zig-zagging keeper run with 6:13 left to play. Rodriguez added another extra point kick and the defense was able to hold on for the remainder of the game. Tenaha took the win with a 22-14 final score advantage.
The Tigers are now 10-2 this season and they will face the 12-0 Lovelady Lions in the regional semifinal round of the playoffs at Henderson Lions Stadium on Friday, November 24, 2023 at 2 p.m.
