FB: Tigers face old nemesis in Wildcats tonight
long touchdown run of a fumble recovery during Saturday's playoff
game against Hubbard in Tyler. (Photo by John Krueger)
It's been just seven weeks since the Tenaha Tigers handed Mount Enterprise an embarrassing 47-0 setback at the THS homecoming for the only blemish on the Wildcats' season record. There's no doubt that the 'Cats haven't forgotten that night and will be looking to change their fortunes when the two squads tangle Friday.
This time around there will be much more at stake as Tenaha (11-0) and Mount Enterprise (11-1) renew their grid rivalry as they battle for the Class 1A D-II Region III championship Friday night at Carthage's Bulldog Stadium. The 7:30 p.m. contest will be aired on KGAS Radio (94.3 FM).
Tickets for the game will be $6 at the gate. There will be no passes honored. Mount Enterprise will be the designated 'home' team.
Both teams have plenty to play for and incentive to go along with it as the survivor not only claims the regional crown, but also a spot in the state semifinal next weekend against the winner of the Burton (11-2)/Falls City (10-2) matchup, which will be played Friday at Buda High School (7:30 p.m.).
Although there is a short journey to the Class 1A D-II state championship game at Cowboys Stadium on Dec. 15 (4 p.m.), there is still plenty of football to be played to get there. The Tigers and wildcats much win two monumental games to reach each teams' goal of a chance in the title game in 'Jerry's house'.
With so much riding on this week's playoff tilt, there might not be many similarities to the one-sided affair that took place on Oct. 15 at The Pit.
In that game Tenaha rolled up 525 yards, including 341 yards on the ground and 184 more through the air as the Tigers built a 27-0 halftime lead and coasted in the second half.
Mount Enterprise was limited to just six first downs, while managing just 12 yards passing and 170 total yards. The ground-oriented Wildcats also struggled in third down conversions, converting only 1-of-14 (7.1%) attempts.
Hunter Ammons will no doubt be the 'go-to' guy for the Mount Enterprise offense. He gained 119 yards on 26 carries in the first meeting. He recently set a pair of school records when he completed the regular season with a new mark of 1,771 yards and scored his 26th touchdown of the season in the regular season finale against Beckville.
Since their loss to Tenaha, the Wildcats have rolled off five consecutive wins, beating their opponents by an average of 46.4 points to 10. Mount Enterprise has beaten Dallas Gateway Charter, 56-0, Gorman, 44-7, and Chilton, 27-24, for its three postseason wins.
Tenaha will present many of the same problems that it presented the first two times the squads met. Tiger quarterback Reginald Davis rushed for 157 yards and two touchdowns in that game, averaging 26.2-yards per carry. Sophomore Chavis Gregory also had a big night, picking up 140 yards and averaging 10 yards per haul.
On the season Davis has gained 1,377 yards and scored 26 touchdowns, averaging 11.6-yards per carry. Gregory isn't far behind, with 1,170 yards and 13 scores, averaging 9.2-yards per haul.
Davis completed 7-of-12 passes against the Mount Enterprise secondary, throwing for 184 yards and a pair of scores. Shaquille Mitchell pulled in two for 82 yards and a score, Demon Horton was on the receiving end of two for 34 yards and a TD and Octavius Griffith hauled in three for 68 yards.
Davis has completed 60.4% (81-of-134) passes for 1,523 yards, 20 touchdowns and just five interceptions. He is averaging 18.8-yard per reception.
Mitchell and Griffith are both tied for the team lead in receptions with 22 catches. Mitchell has scored 12 touchdowns, gaining 457 yards, while Griffith has scored four times and has 415 yards. Horton has pulled in 15 passes for 260 yards and three TDs and Darius Hill has 14 receptions for 234 yards.
With their District 12-1A D-II championship came a first-round bye for Tenaha, before destroying Bremond, 51-6, and Hubbard, 62-28, in their two playoff games.
This is not only a key playoff matchup, but a rivalry game, which means it all probability the results of the first contest can be thrown out. With all that is resting on the outcome of this game, it will no doubt be an all-out 'war'.