Terrell outruns Texas

Tigers lose first round of playoffs

Terrell’s Chase Bingmon escapes CJ Brown on a run play in the third quarter of the Bi-District playoff game on Nov. 11, 2022 at Tiger Stadium in Texarkana, Texas. Terrell defeated Texas High 28-21 and ended the Tiger’s 2022 football season.

Story by Braden McKinnon, Staff Writer

Down by seven, on Fourth and fifteen sophomore quarterback David Potter launches the ball to the endzone, season on the line, to junior receiver TJ Gray. As the ball glides through the rain it falls just short of Gray; just like that the Texas Tigers season is over.

The game started off well for Texas. Sophomore and freshman running back Javari Johnson and Tradarrian Ball, respectively, ran all over Terrell’s defense. A one-yard Johnson touchdown gave the Tigers an early lead.

Terrell came out just as successful. With their unique offensive game plan centered around misdirection and powerful runs. Terrell struck back with a four-yard touchdown pass from junior quarterback Lindon Henderson to sophomore running back Tallen Kennedy.

The theme for this game became clear, each team is going to keep running the ball, and whoever gets the first stop was going to have the advantage.

Johnson continued to have his way on the ground, as he ran in a seventeen-yard touchdown for the first score of the second quarter(10:55). 

The Texas defense was the first to get a stop but the offense was unable to capitalize. Both defenses seemingly figured out the other yet neither team could score again for the remainder of the half.

This, however, did not carry into the second half as Terrell’s junior running back Chase Bingmon took the first snap of the third quarter 66 yards to the house(11:45).

Neither Tigers were able to score despite both teams’ successful run game. With multiple drives getting past the 50 but not close enough for a field goal. 

A punt from sophomore Fransisco Perez downed Terrell at the 3-yard line. As Terrell was in a bad spot they made it with a punt of their own. However, the wind caught this punt and landed just short of Terrell’s thirty-yard line. 

With Texas’ best field position in a while, Ball broke the scoring drought with a 7-yard touchdown with just over 6 minutes left in the game.

Terrell did not drop their head as Henderson found sophomore tight end Keiundre Johnson on a broken play to switch field positions. A twelve-yard touchdown run from junior receiver Marquel Hambric ensured they capitalized on the opportunity.

After a huge defensive stand from Terrell, they looked to be on a game-winning drive. But after a costly holding penalty, a couple of huge defensive stops forced a turnover on downs and the game went to overtime.

Terrell began with the ball in overtime Scoring quickly on an 8-yard run to Bingmon.

Texas High had to answer, starting with a run to Johnson for 2 yards. The next play a pass out right to a wide-open receiver dropped. 3rd down a Botched snap and Potter fell on it 15 yards behind the line to gain. On the last play of the game, Potter launched it deep middle to Gray but the ball fell short.

Terrell Tigers defeated Texas Tigers 28-21 as an uproar of cheers from the Terrell players, coaches, and fans expelled from the stadium.

The Texas Tigers finished the 2023 campaign 9-3.