HALLSVILLE–You hate to see your team lose its last game of the season, but you really hate to see them lose like this.
The Tigers (3-6) fell to the Hallsville Bobcats (6-3) tonight in Hallsville 19-7. Texas High was able to keep it close for much of the game, but penalties hindered their ability to move the ball. All in all, it just wasn’t a very good game.
The penalties, which were nothing short of controversial, were numerous and severe in consequence. However, the penalties seemed to be excessive. More often than not, the penalties were either too small for fans to notice or figments of a referee’s imagination. Regardless, the penalties played a huge role in the outcome of the game.
The Tiger defense, possibly the best part of the team, struggled to stop the Bobcat rushing attack. It began with 7 and 8-yard runs and ended with a long touchdown sprint by a Hallsville running back. Granted, the Tigers did hold off the passing game, but if they want to compete in the playoffs, they’ll have to stop the run. The defense fans saw tonight will not get them past the first round.
The passing game had its moments, but for the most part struggled. Junior quarterback Dakota Hunter was under considerable pressure from the fierce Bobcat pass rush. At one point, Hunter left the game with an injury but returned for the next drive.
“I wasn’t going to let my team down,” Hunter said. “I had to go back in. It hurt and everything, but I couldn’t let my team down.”
The receivers had difficulty gaining separation from the defenders and dropped too many passes. This will certainly need to improve if the Tigers want to advance.
“We played hard, but it just wasn’t enough,” senior receiver Ben Adams said. “Me and [Hunter] were talking about it just before the buzzer sounded. We just have to come out and get better next week.”
One positive note for the Tigers would be the vast improvement in the running game. Junior running back Treveon Walker was back to his previous state of brilliance and carried the team on his back.
“I think I did okay,” Walker said. “I could do a lot better. I just have to work on getting healthy.”
This game was certainly not one that the Tigers want to remember. They’ll want to put this one behind them as they get ready for the playoff game against Sherman.
“If we can’t beat them, we can’t beat Sherman,” Adams said. “We just have to get that much better next week. Now it’s winner take all. Any game could be our last.”
