FB: No.4 Tigers shut down Timpson, 21-0
Tenaha's Chavis Gregory (left) and Keitron Smith (20) during Friday
night's game at Tiger Stadium. The Tenaha defense dominated this
game as the Tigers won, 21-0. (Photo by Ray Jackson)
Despite soggy field conditions, the No.4-ranked Tenaha Tigers came through with a solid defensive effort when the Tigers posted their second consecutive shutout at Tiger Stadium in a 21-0 blanking of the Timpson Bears.
Heavy rains fell in the late afternoon on Friday, but that just meant that the Tigers (2-0) dug their heals in defensively as they limited their cross-county rivals to three first down, 66 yards on the ground and 71 total yards.
The Bears (0-2) limited the Tigers to just three scores and 253 yards of total offense, but after outgaining West Sabine in their season opener last week, they couldn't move the ball consistently against one of the best teams Class 1A football.
Tenaha kept its offensive game simple, with junior quarterback Reginald Davis doing most of the work. He carried the ball on 24 of the Tigers' 42 running plays, picking up 151 yards and scoring three touchdowns. Chavis Gregory, who ran for 118 yards in the season-opening win at Joaquin last week, picked up 61 yards on 14 carries against Timpson.
The Tiger passing game is still suspect. Davis completed only 3-of-11 passes for 35 yards, with Keitron Smith catching two for 32 yards, while Assuntay Cleaver pulled in the other one for three yards.
Quarterback Lorenzo Young led the Bears' ground game with 34 yards on 10 carries, while LaDerius Bryan was held to 23 yards on 18 attempts.
Young attempted six passes on the night, completing only two for five yards. He was intercepted once. Jaylin Rhodes caught both passes.
Tenaha won the turnover battle, with the Bears committing three, while the Tiger only had one fumble, despite the wet conditions.
This contest was up for grabs at the half as Tenaha only put the ball in the endzone once. After a scoreless first quarter, Davis hit paydirt on a 6-yard run which culminated a 9-play, 54-yard drive. Jose Campos attempted the point after, but it was blocked, leaving Tenaha with a 6-0 lead with 9:15 remaining in the second.
Tenaha added another touchdown in the third quarter. Davis again ended a Tiger drive, this time with a 2-yard run. He also added the 2-point conversion with 4:56 showing on the third-quarter clock to stretch Tenaha's lead to 14-0.
The final point occurred with 3:35 left in the final period when Davis scored on a 7-yard run. Campos nailed the PAT and the final was in.
Both teams will face tough competition in the upcoming week as the unbeaten Tigers travel to Alto to take on the No.9-ranked and unbeaten Yellowjackets. Timpson will be in Groveton to face the Indians (1-1). Both games will be played Friday at 7:30 p.m.
STATS AT A GLANCE
Timp Tenaha
First Downs 3 12
Rushes-Yards 31-66 42-218
Passing Yards 5 35
Total Yards 71 253
Passes 2-6-1 3-12-1
Punts-Avg. 2-37.0 2-28.6
Fumbles-Lost 4-3 1-0
Penalties-Yards 6-52 6-60
SCORING BY QUARTERS
Timpson 00 00 00 00 = 00
Tenaha 00 06 08 07 = 21
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICAL LEADERS
Rushing
Timpson: Lorenzo Young 10-34; LaDerius Bryan 18-23. Tenaha: Reginald Davis 24-151 3TD; Chavis Gregory 14-61.
Passing
Timpson: Lorenzo Young 2-6-1 5 yards. Tenaha: Reginald Davis 3-11-1 35 yards.
Receiving
Timpson: Jaylin Rhodes 2-5. Tenaha: Keitron Smith 1-32; Assuntay Cleaver 1-3.
Records/Next Up
Timpson: 0-2 / Sept. 10 at Groveton, 7:30 p.m. Tenaha: 2-0 / Sept. 10 at Alto, 7:30 p.m.