It wasn’t the opening result Mount Pleasant had hoped for, but the Tigers battled it out to the end Thursday night in a hard-fought loss at Wylie East. The score was indicative of how evenly matched both teams were with the Tigers taking a 14-13 lead at halftime. Unfortunately, the end zone was hard to find in the second half with the Raiders mustering the only score in the fourth quarter to take the win.

The Tiger defense was stout once again holding the Raiders to only 241 yards of total offense and forcing two turnovers, one of which led to a Tiger score. The offense found some gaps early but sputtered in the second half unable to find the end zone.

The game started out with both teams trading three and outs. The ensuing Tiger possession resulted in an interception as Wylie East took advantage and marched down the field for the first score to go up 6-0. Mount Pleasant would once again go three and out but a forced fumble on the punt setting the Tigers up at the Raider 6-yard line. Senior Johnny Smith would rumble into the end zone on the next possession to give the Tigers the lead, 7-6. On the ensuing Raider possession, Wylie East marched down the field and scored on a 29-yard run by the quarterback to make the score 13-7. The Tiger offense would stall midway through the second quarter turning it over on a fumble in Raider territory. Mount Pleasant’s defense forced another three and out and the Tigers responded with a 39-yard scamper to pay dirt by Tyson Minter to make the score 14-13 at the half.

The third quarter saw both teams make strong adjustments coming out of the locker room. Neither team could gain any momentum as the score stayed 14-13 Tigers heading into the final frame. On the first play of the fourth quarter, the Raiders found the end zone on an 18-yard screen pass that would set the final score at 19-14. The Tigers had the fans on the edge of their seats late when Keller Thompson heaved a ball down the field to Kyler Smith. But at the last second, a Raider defender snatched the ball from his hands and sealed the game with the interception.

Top performers for the Tigers were Tyson Minter (15 rushes, 86 yards, 1 TD), Miller McCrumby (4 receptions, 47 yards), Johnny Smith (3 rushes, 14 yards, 1 TD), Kyler Smith (6 tackles, 1 assist, 1 fumble recovery), Anthony Jefferey (6 tackles, 2 tackles for loss), and Micah Shepherd (3 tackles, 1 assist, 1 tackle for loss, 1 fumble recovery).

The Tigers fall to 0-1 on the young season but will look to get back on track next Friday night in their home opener versus the visiting Sherman Wildcats. Mount Pleasant won last year’s matchup at Sherman by a score of 24-7. Kickoff is set for 7:30 PM and tickets can be purchased at the gate.

By Drew Barkley
Photos by CJ Cannon