Tigers Win…the First Half, But Lose the Game

The first football game of the 2024 season is in the books with the Tigers winning the first half, but losing the game.

The Easton Valley River Hawks were down 20 to 21 at half time, but scored 20 unanswered points to secure the victory. The final score was 40-21.

QB Gavin Menke-Bailey completed six out of 16 passes for sixty yards and one TD with two interceptions. He was a work horse for the Tigers, as he carried the ball 18 times for 82 yards and one TD. Cale Westerbeck had six carries for 62 yards and one TD. Brigham Porter had six carries for 33 yards.

Porter had one receiving TD of 21 yards. Israel Lemley caught three passes for 27 yards

Menke-Bailey led the defense with seven tackles. Corbin Jacobs-Jewell had four tackles that included three sacks. Riley Raines had 5.5 tackles, and Lemley, Porter, and London Franklin combined for six tackles, while Nic Loyd added 2.5.

One bright spot for the Tigers was senior kicker Colin Pealer. He was perfect on his PATs with three. He also punted five times for 163 yards.

Although the Tigers have things to tighten up in practice this week before they face W-MU on Friday night, there is cause for optimism. They did lots of things right.

The Tigers’ next game is Friday, September 6 in Winfield, with a start time of 7:00 p.m.