This past Friday was another impressive display of athleticism and tenacity between two impressive teams, The Mendenhall Tigers and The Forest Bearcats. In their first district game of the season the Tigers returned home with the victory. The final score was 32-22. An interview with the Tigers coaches Monroe Allen and Sammy Byther showed what their thoughts going into the game were.
“They went into the game with a winning attitude. I think they played up to the coaches, to the coaches’ expectations. I think every player played up to their potential,” said coach Byther.
Coach Allen had a lot to say about the team’s attitudes going in. “We knew it was a pivotal game for us. You know the first district game kind of set a tone for the year. It was important just so we can control our own destiny. You hate to get in a situation where you’re depending on somebody else to kind of help you win it. So, we talked to the boys, and they knew and understood what they were taking care of. Forest was undefeated. With them being 5 and 0, you know, they were going to be ready to play. We went in and took care of business, I'm proud of them.”
The Tigers started the first quarter by kicking the ball off the Bearcats. They managed to slip through the Tigers defense allowing them to score a touchdown, giving the Bearcats the first touchdown of the game putting the score at 0-7, but the Tigers did not let it stay like this for long. The Tigers received the ball on a kick return and ran it back for a touchdown by Myles Womack. Missing the additional point ending the first quarter with a score of 6-7.
The second quarter started with the Bearcats turning over possession on a missed field goal. Quarterback Tayton James and the offense moved the ball on to the opposing 32-yard line. The Tigers successfully managed to score a passing touchdown after James completed a pass to wide receiver Marcus Allen. The Tigers secured the point after putting the score at 13-7.
The Tigers kicked off the ball to the Bearcats. The Bearcats fumbled the ball allowing the Tigers to recover and rush the ball towards the Bearcats 14-yard line but shortly were forced to turnover on downs.
The Bearcats scored a passing touchdown with less than five minutes left. Mendenhall held the ball until less than a minute was left in the first half. They scored a passing touchdown from James to Jay Ulmer, making the point after leading the Tigers with 20-13 ending the second quarter.
The halftime show opened with The Mendenhall Tiger Pride Marching Band performing parts 1, 2, and 3 of their show “Journey of Man”. It was followed by The Forest County Bearcats performing their show “Ritual”.
The Tigers dominated the third quarter scoring a passing touchdown shortly into the quarter, unfortunately missing the point after giving the Tigers the lead 26-14. The Tigers defense held the Bearcats offense leading to a turnover. The Tigers ended the third quarter with a passing touchdown from James to Cameron Smith. Unfortunately, they failed to complete the two-point conversion leaving the score 32-14.
The Tigers kicker sustained a dislocated thumb. The final stretch of the game opened with the Bearcats possessing the ball. The Tigers held the Bearcats offensive line but ultimately come short in preventing a passing touchdown and a two-point conversion, but successfully defended themselves well for the remainder of the game securing the win and giving the Bearcats their first loss of the season.
Several players were able to be reached for a comment on the game like wide receiver Marcus Allen who had to say “We did good. But we need to keep pushing to where we're supposed to be and we need to work harder in all the things we messed up on today.”
Alongside quarterback Tayton James who showed a considerable amount of excitement for the upcoming games. James said, “We’re not playing no more we’re on a revenge tour.” Tigers are going up against The Morton Panthers who are 3-3 this season, next Friday at home.
