Centerville Tigers fall to Grapeland Sandies

Running back T.J. Robinson (25) races to elude a Sandie defender. Sherry’s Shots The Tigers traveled to Grapeland on August 28th in the season opener for both teams and suffered a 26-0 defeat. The Sandies received the kickoff and marched down the field with 3 first downs. On third and goal from the 8 yard line the Sandies scored on a quarterback run. The extra point was wide left and the Sandies led 6-0 with 7:50 left in the opening quarter. The Tigers received the ensuing kick-off and on 4th down Jeremy Hammock punted. The Tiger defense stiffened and a 4th down pass fell incomplete and the Tigers took over on their own 29 yard line. The Tigers couldn’t move the ball and Hammock punted again. In the ensuing series Jonathan Cloud intercepted a Sandie pass to kill a drive. After a series of downs where neither team could generate any offense the Sandies took over at the Tiger 47 yard line.

On a 4th and 5 from the Tiger 29 yard line the Sandies quarterback threw another touchdown pass and after the extra point the Sandies upped their lead to 13-0. The half ended with the Sandies on top 13-0. The Tigers took the 2nd half kickoff and after a first down had to punt again. This time the ball sailed over the punters head and the Sandies recovered on the Tigers 20 yard line. The Sandies scored in three plays and the extra point was good and the Sandies led 20-0.

The Tigers took the kickoff but had to punt and the Sandies drove to the Tiger 13 yard line where Jonathan Cloud intercepted his second pass to kill that drive. The Tigers fumbled on their first offensive play and the Sandies were in business on the Tigers 25 yard line. On 4th and 10 at the Tigers 24 yard the quarterback threw another touchdown pass and the Sandies were on top 26-0 as the Tigers blocked the extra point. The 4th period was a defensive struggle and the game ended 26-0 in favor of the Sandies.

The Tigers had four first downs, 37 yards rushing and 48 yards passing. Quarterback Michael Gwosdz competed three of twelve passes. Clay Hardee ran ten times for 32 yards, Seth Mahaffey caught two passes for 28 yards, and Jonathan Cloud intercepted two passes.

The Tigers travel to Bruceville-Eddy for another nondistrict game on September 4th.