The Mendenhall Tigers remain perfect but had their biggest scare of the season last Friday against the Northeast Lauderdale Trojans. The Tigers entered the game still missing a key playmaker in Michael Simmons Jr., but Tabuiz Camper was active after being sidelined for last week’s contest.
The duo of Christian Allen and Keshun Collier has been able to put pressure on opposing defenses all season. Northeast Lauderdale proved to be the exception early in the game. The Trojans had a good game plan and was able to limit big plays. The Tiger defense required their usual wake up call, and it came in the form an early touchdown from a pass across the middle. A personnel change followed, and quarterback Christian Allen began playing both ways for the remainder of the game.
By the end of the first quarter the Tigers trailed 0-14. This was unfamiliar territory for the Tigers, but they responded well. The defense stepped up and had an answer for everything the Trojans threw at them. Fred Tanner and Junkevious Mack did a great job of locating the football and securing tackles. Both defenses took center stage for the second quarter with neither side surrendering a point. The Tiger offense suffered another blow after losing vertical passing threat BoBo Walker.
The Tigers went into halftime losing 0-14. Last week, against Newton County the Tigers displayed a sense of urgency after only managing to score 8 points in the first half. Although they still led in the game some panic ensued because the situation was new. For the first time this season the Tigers trailed at the end of the first half and failed to get on the score board. However, Head Coach Chuckie Allen and his staff have proven that they are capable of making adjustments that give their team the best chance to win. That has played a major part in their identity as a second half team.
So the second half Super Tigers emerged from the locker room with intentions of righting the ship. It appeared they were on track to do so until a potential scoring drive ended near the 15 yard line. The defense continued to hold. Keshun Collier was having a quiet game until this point but soon made his presence known. Late in the third quarter Collier made a spectacular one handed catch between two defenders for a touchdown. It was this momentum shifting play by Collier that sparked the comeback. Christian Allen and Keshun Collier found a rhythm, and the Tiger offense began to take off. Allen and Collier connected on a 76 yard reception for a touchdown. Allen was successful on the two point conversion which tied the game at 14-14 in the fourth quarter.
Northeast Lauderdale responded with a touchdown and extra point to retake the lead. The game became a shootout in the fourth quarter, and Keshun Collier had bigger guns. He registered his third touchdown reception in the fourth quarter that would ultimately lead to the Tigers winning the game, with some help from special teams. With 25 second left in the game the Tigers had a one point lead, and kicked off to the Trojans. Fred Tanner, who had been active around the ball all game, forced a fumble on the return which was recovered by Cedric Walker to seal the game.
Mendenhall dominated the second half, which is what fans have come to expect, and remains undefeated. More importantly was the character this team displayed in the face of adversity. Keshun Collier finished the game with 5 receptions for 172 yards and 3 touchdowns. He also added 46 rushing yards on 8 carries. The Tiger defense did an excellent job of setting the tone, and producing opportunities for the offense. Three Tigers finished with double digit tackles. Junkevious Mack (11), Zay Duckworth (10), and Fred Tanner (10) led the defense in tackles.
The Tigers may face their toughest test this Friday in a matchup against the 7-1 West Lauderdale Knights. Before the start of the season many of the seniors viewed West Lauderdale as the biggest challenge they would face this season. The teams have comparable records, and that assessment has proven to be true. This Friday will also be Mendenhall’s Homecoming game, so there will be extra motivation to remain perfect.
