FB: Timpson-Tenaha Game Notes
big night tonight when the No.4-ranked Tigers host Timpson at
7:30 p.m. (Photo by John Krueger)
Timpson Bears (0-1) @ Tenaha Tigers (1-0)
Friday, Sept. 3, 2010 - 7:30 p.m.
Tiger Stadium (1,000 cap.) - Tenaha, Texas
Turf: Natural - Map of Stadium Location
Radio: KGAS 104.3-FM - Internet Link
The Tenaha Tigers and Timpson didn't play for 20 years after the rivalry exploded one night during a football game. But the two squads have renewed their competition recently, which has brought this rivalry back to Shelby County. The two teams will meet tonight (Friday) at Tiger Stadium at 7:30 p.m. in a non-district matchup. Tenaha (1-0) is coming off a 34-0 win over Joaquin to open the season last Saturday, while Timpson is 0-1 after a 34-12 setback to West Sabine on the road.
WHERE THEY STAND: The Timpson Bears are trying to re-establish their football program after having posted five straight losing seasons since the 2004 team went 7-3. Kenny Washington is in his second year with the program and appears to have the Bears headed into the right direction. Timpson isn't picked to make the playoffs this season, but it is a goal the Bears have set for themselves. THS was 3-7 in 2009.
Tenaha is near the top of Class 1A, having posted a 12-1 mark a year ago and enters this week's play ranked No.4 in the state. The Tigers are picked to not only win the District 12-1A D-II title, but the Division II state championship as well. However, THS Head Coach Terry Ward is taking it one week at a time.
HOW THEY RANK: The Bears are not ranked in the Associated Press state poll or any of the regional rankings. Tenaha is ranked No.4 by the AP poll, holding steady at that spot since last week. Goldthwaite, Canadian and Mart are in front of the Tigers. They are all in Division I, while the Tigers reside in D-II. The AP poll is not broken down into divisions. In the region polls, Tenaha sits at the top spot of the Smoaky.com Poll, while league opponent Mount Enterprise is at No.10. The Tigers are also No.1 in the Eastexsports.com poll.
HOW THEY GOT HERE: Tenaha was scheduled to begin the season at Joaquin last Friday night, but the teams had to postpone the contest because a scheduling problem resulted in no officials showing up for the game. The game was played on Saturday, with the Tigers taking a 34-0 win at Ram Stadium. In that game Tiger quarterback Reginald Davis rushed for 94 yards on 11 carries (8.6-yard avg.) with three touchdowns, while Chavis Gregory ran for 118 yards and a score on eight carries (14.8-yard avg.) and Sadara Wilson added 71 yards on seven hauls and a score. Davis completed 5-of-10 passes for 67 yards, with Octavius Griffith catching five passes for 59 yards. On the defensive side of the ball, Keitron Smith led all tacklers with 20 stops, while Wilson and Shaquille Mitchell each posted eight.
Despite falling to West Sabine, the Tigers outgained the Tigers 254-195 as the Bears gained 209 yards on the ground and 45 through the air. Timpson quarterback Lorenzo Young is getting used to his new position and he completed 3-fo-5 passes for 44 yards in a score against the Tigers. LaDerius Bryan hauled in two passes for 38 yards and a score, while rushing for 61 yards on 10 carries (10.2-yard avg.).
OTHER DISTRICT ACTION: Three of the four teams in the District 12-1A D-II race were victorious last weekend. Other scores include Beckville outlasting Union Grove, 20-12, and Mount Enterprise knocking off Cushing, 14-8. Union Hill was the only team to lose, falling to Carlisle, 48-10. In games this Friday (tonight), Beckville will visit Cushing, Mount Enterprise will take on Cayuga on the road and Union Hill will visit Hawkins.
District 12-1A D-II Standings & Results
In other results from District 10-1A D-I, Alto pounded Groveton, 67-13, Cushing fell to Mount Enterprise, Garrison outscored Hemphill, 42-20, and Grapeland eased past Centerville, 18-15. Game this week include Alto hosting San Augustine, Cushing playing host to Beckville, Garrison will trek to Lovelady, Grapeland will visit Trinity and Shelbyville will host Joaquin.
PINEYWOODSSPORTS.COM PREDICTION: Timpson will have its work cut out for it if the Bears want to break into the win column this week. First of all the Timpson offense must keep the Tigers off the field and grind out the clock. To do that, the Bears must have a balanced attack.
Tenaha will try to become more balanced this week. Look for quarterback Reginald Davis to have a big game, along with running back Chavis Gregory.
Timpson turnovers will just compound the Bears' problems.
Tenaha 40, Timpson 12.
John Krueger's email address is pineywoodssports@yahoo.com.