The Tigers started off slow but after a rough first quarter did not allow another point outscoring Mount Pleasant 35-0 in three quarters, ending with a final score of 44-13. 

The Texas Tigers started with a quick stop on defense and scored on a 82 yard touchdown run by running back Braylon Stewart. Mt. Pleasant swiftly responded with a 101-yard kick return touchdown on the ensuing kickoff, but the extra point was blocked and returned by the Tigers for two points. Mt. Pleasant continued to bring the pressure on offense, scoring on a 45 yard touchdown run to conclude the first quarter, 13-9 in favor of Mt. Pleasant.

“I was doing good. I was just trying to take the lead and not do anything stupid just keep going,” junior Cody Reese said. “And try to play my best game.”

The Tigers opened the second quarter with a three-yard touchdown run by quarterback Brayson Mchenry. The Tiger defense began to stiffen, recovering two turnovers in the quarter. A pair of touchdown passes by McHenry put the Tigers up 30-13, leaving Mt. Pleasant scoreless in the second quarter. Before the conclusion of the half, Texas quarterback Brayson McHenry was disqualified due to the accumulation of two unsportsmanlike conduct penalties in the game. Reese replaced him as the quarterback for the remainder of the game.

“I saw [Head Coach Gerry Stanford] and I said ‘Believe in me, I got you, you got me, just believe in me’,” Reese said.

The third quarter was a quiet one with neither offense having any type of success, the only score was a fumbled punt recovered by the Tigers for a touchdown. The entire defensive line kept continuous pressure on Mt. Pleasant.  The quarter ended with a score of 37-13.

“We really settled and just played a violent physical defense,” Stanford said. “Tonight we played fast all over the field, and just kept playing to the end of the whistle and so [ I am ] just really proud of those guys.”

The Tigers scored another touchdown and ran out the clock with a final score of 44-13.

“We just gotta go out there, put in work, and get ready to win another one,” offensive lineman Lawton Nichols said.

Next week, the Tigers travel to Hallsville for to face their second district opponent.