Stadium lights beam down on Grim Stadium as the crowd jitters in anticipation. The pre-game events were well underway as the Tigers prepared for the first round of the playoffs. Last year’s round three ended in a devastating loss for the Tigers, 28-31, to Port Neches-Grove. However, the Tigers are determined to keep their winning streak alive. 

On Nov. 14, 2025, the Tigers beat the Lake Creek Lions 35-24 in the first round of the playoffs. Quarterback Kam Wrightner scored a touchdown in the fourth quarter, keeping the Tigers ahead to advance to the second round against Midlothian Heritage, Nov. 21, 2025. 

“You know I’m just happy with a win,” athletic director and head football coach, Gerry Stanford said. “Wins don’t come easy this time of year. I think there’s a little we could have played a much cleaner game, but if we keep the effort there and fix the mistakes, then we’re good.”

With flags and penalties included, the Tigers lost extra yardage; however, mistakes from Lake Creek worked to the Tigers’ advantage. During the last 59 seconds of the game, Lake Creek scored a touchdown, yet it wasn’t enough; the Tigers still came out with an exhilarating win.

“I’ve never felt so hype before a game,” Wrighter said. “I was ready, my last game at Grim, [and] it’s just a bittersweet moment. It may be my last game at Grim, but I’m also trying to do everything [to get the win].”

The tension between Lake Creek and the Tigers increased in the second half. The Tigers false-started twice in the last quarter, but an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty against Lake Creek gave the Tigers a first down to seal their win. 

“Most of those [flags] were pretty real, I think there’s just [a lot] there that was going on that could be fixed,” Stanford said. “I think we’re [also] so happy to play at home one last time, and the atmosphere here is hard to beat.”