The Tigers Defeated the Pine Tree Pirates in a slow paced, low scoring game to reclaim their number one spot in the district Thursday, Nov. 3, 2022. With Marshall High upsetting the Whitehouse Wildcats, the Tigers were ensured their third district championship in a row.

The first quarter of the game was quiet for both teams, with hardly any whistles blown to stop the clock. The opening drive set a tone for Pine Tree’s defense, coming up with a big sack to get the Tiger offense off the field. 

With 4:27 left in the quarter, sophomore quarterback David Potter handed the ball off to freshman Tradarian Ball, who then threw and completed a pass to junior receiver TJ Gray, who ran it in for a touchdown. The point after kick was missed, making the score 6-0 with the Tigers in the lead. 

Going into the second quarter, the pace of the game continued to drag.

Pine Tree was able to string together a few big first downs midway through the quarter, but were unsuccessful in penetrating the endzone. The Pirates kicked a field goal to cut their deficit in half. 

The Tigers answered with a couple of big plays themselves, completing two long passes to get them to the 15 yard line. Unable to secure another touchdown, Texas kicked a field goal, putting their lead at 9-3 going into half time. 

To start the second half, senior safety CJ Brown caught an interception to bring  out the Tiger offense. 

“I knew I had the backside safety helping me over the top, so I was trailing,” Brown said. “I ran with the ball, and when I saw him throw, I knew I had another one.”

The Pirate defense came out with another stop, and the Tigers failed to capitalize on the defensive play by Brown. The Texas defense played a major role in the success of the Tigers in the match, coming up with multiple stops and making sure their offense was able to play with a lead. 

“Defense played 90% of the role in tonight’s game, they made plays and kept making plays,” Head Coach Gerry Stanford said. “They picked up where our offense didn’t and I’m proud of the way they played tonight.”

After the third quarter, the score remained 9-3 Texas. 

The closing moments of the fourth quarter were wild, and the only intense moments of the match. 

The Pirates were able to scratch off another field goal, putting the score at 9-6. 

Sophomore Javari Johnson pushed the second touchdown across the goal line with 1:19 left in the fourth quarter, securing the win and district championship for the Tigers. The Pirates pulled out a touchdown in the closing seconds of the match, but no score was enough to overcome the Tiger’s lead. 

The Tigers took the game 16-13.

“It’s win or go home at this point,” Stanford said. “Usually, in the playoffs, the teams who want to keep playing, keep playing. We’ve got a long road ahead of us and we’ve got to get better.”

Texas was awarded their first place trophy on the field as the game ended, and Texas High celebrated yet another Tiger win.

“You’re district champions, congratulations,” Stanford said in their huddle after the game. “You defended the championship again, and we aren’t giving it back!”

The Tigers will face Terrell in round one of playoffs at Grim Stadium Friday, Nov. 11, 2022.