Texas High managed to pull out a win in a defensive struggle against the Arkansas High Razorbacks. Both teams went back and forth for most of the game, but the Tigers found a way to keep their winning streak alive with the 13-7 victory.
“It’s a tradition to beat Arkansas,” junior middle linebacker Anthony Rhone said. “We’ve beaten them for 13 years in a row. We kinda expected to win.”
The Tigers led for the entire game but only by a slim margin. On their initial possession the Tigers put up the first points of the contest with a Steven Crenshaw field goal. The Razorbacks returned fire with an attempted field goal of their own, but the kick was wide to the left. The first quarter came to a close after a short burst by junior running back Treveon Walker.
The Tigers stalled in the beginning of the second quarter, as did the Razorbacks on their next possession. When the Tigers got the ball back, the drive was capped off by a deep touchdown pass from junior quarterback Clete Norton to senior receiver Ben Adams.
“I was gone,” Adams said. “I stuck my arm out and hoped that something would happen.”
The next few minutes of the second quarter were uneventful until a fight broke out after a late hit on the Arkansas High quarterback. Razorback players were flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct. After promptly breaking up the conflict, the game was back underway. No more excitement came in the second quarter and it closed with the score at 10-0.
Texas High opened the third quarter with the ball and had some big running plays early. The Tigers managed to add onto their lead with another field goal from Crenshaw. The Razorbacks were, once again, unable to add any points but did keep the game within reach.
The fourth quarter began as a defensive struggle until Arkansas found a way to dig into the red zone. The Tigers forced a fourth down on the four yard line, but the Razorbacks converted with a touchdown strike, pulling the score within one score. The Tigers responded with some long runs by Walker, until he left the game briefly with a leg cramp. The Tigers managed to run out the clock and take a knee to victory with the final score at 13-7.
“It was good, hard fought, defensive standoff, hard-hitting football game,” junior center Justin Lewis said. “You can always enjoy that.”
For the seniors, the game was an emotional experience that will not soon be forgotten. As he walked off the field teary-eyed, senior offensive lineman Tristen Smith described his feelings toward his teammates in the simplest way possible.
“I love my team.”
Staff writers Robert Hoover and DJ Mack contributed to this story.
