The Mount Pleasant Tigers began their first winning streak of the season with a 28-14 victory in Nacogdoches last Friday night. The second win in a row improves the Tigers district record to 2-1 and moved them into a three-way tie for second place with Marshall and Pine Tree with three games left to play.

 

The first quarter was fairly uneventful even though both teams were able to move the ball. The Dragons and Tigers traded blows, with multiple drives by both teams stalling out around midfield. Nacogdoches would finally break the ice putting together a long drive that saw them put the ball in the endzone in the second quarter to take the 7-0 lead. On the ensuing Tiger possession, an errant Layne Pinckard pass would be taken out of the air by a Dragon defender and returned 60 yards for a pick six touchdown giving Nacogdoches a 14-0 lead. But the Tigers would not fold, getting great field position and stringing together a 44-yard drive that was highlighted by an Edward Wilder 24-yard scamper. The drive would be capped off with Pinckard sneaking in for the 1-yard score to make the score 14-7. A stop by the Tiger defense and positive field position would play right into the Tigers’ hands late in the first half. Mount Pleasant put together another powerful drive that resulted in a Johnny Smith touchdown plunge to knot the score at 14-14 heading into the locker room.

The second half would be all Tigers as the defense continued to stiffen and keep the Dragons at bay. On Nacogdoches’ first possession of the half, a tipped pass fell into the hands of Anthony Jeffery for an interception. Unfortunately, Mount Pleasant couldn’t capitalize turning the ball over themselves on an intercepted pass by the Dragons. The turnover would not hurt as the defense would cause the Dragon offense to stall out in Tiger territory. Neither team would score in the quarter setting up an exciting finish in the final frame. Keller Thompson would enter at quarterback for the Tigers late in the third helping move the offense down the field. In the opening drive of the fourth, the Tigers would drive down to the Nacogdoches 20. A Thompson pass would be deflected about 20 feet in the air at the line of scrimmage and the Dragons would come down with the ball stopping the Tiger offense. As they had done all night, however, the Tiger defense stepped up and got the ball right back. Defensive end Ervin Mickens would break through the line sacking the quarterback and forcing a fumble recovered by Antez Jeffery at the Dragon 6-yard line. Smith would once again rumble to the end zone to give the Tigers their first lead at 21-14. The Tigers would get the ball one more time with Thompson pulling the option and flying down the field for a 45-yard touchdown run to make the score 28-14 and seal the game.

The 28 unanswered points were the most by the Tigers this season as they dominated on the ground amassing 302 rushing yards. Edward Wilder rushed 26 times for 182 yards and Johnny Smith rushed 12 times for 38 yards and two touchdowns. Miller McCrumby added three catches for 26 yards and Wilder caught two passes for 24 yards. The Tiger defense only gave up 150 yards of total offense and shutout the Dragons for three quarters. Anthony Jeffery notched 16 tackles, Ervin Mickens 9 tackles, Braylon Jones 9 tackles, and Jacolby Russell had 8 tackles. Tre Emory recorded two sacks on the night and Nic Chappell added one sack.

The Tigers (3-3, 2-1) will look to carry momentum as they travel to Hallsville (1-5, 1-2) this Friday to take on the Bobcats. Mount Pleasant last faced the Hallsville two years ago winning the match 21-7. The Bobcats are coming off their first district win over Whitehouse 37-21. Kickoff is set for 7:30 PM at Bobcat Stadium.

 

By Drew Barkley
Photos by Michelle Calderon