Tigers struggle in season opener, 24-0

By: Toni Walker Editor news@steelcountrybee.com The 2016 Friday Night Football season kicked off in Daingerfield with a twist: due to officiating crew issues, the game was actually held on Thursday, Aug. 25.

In a trend that will be seen statewide throughout the season, games will be played on Thursday nights periodically, due to shortage of Texas Association of Sports Officials for football. Whether playing on Thursday was a factor in the play of the Daingerfield Tigers is unknown.

The Tigers hosted the Hughes Springs Mustangs in what became dubbed “The 6-Mile Battle.” Shirts depicting clashing helmets and stating “6-Mile Battle” were sold to benefit both schools. And the game lived up to the term “battle,” as the Tigers fought not only the Mustangs, but themselves all night long.

After the teams took the field, prior to the coin toss, students for both schools gathered near midfield in a show of sportsmanship, and to offer a student-led prayer for the game and its participants. Daingerfield senior Camryn Byrd led the students in the prayer. Following the Tiger-won coin toss, the teams took the field for battle.

Daingerfield, who deferred until second half, kicked off to the Mustangs, who quickly turned the ball over on downs. The Tigers, led by sophomore Jakauri Woods, turned the ball over on a Woods interception at the Tiger 19. That interception led to a Mustang score. Following the missed extra point, the score was 0-6 in favor of the Mustangs.

The Tigers next series netted little forward motion. In fact, the Tigers seemed at times to be moving backwards more than forwards. Through penalties, bad snaps, and solid defensive line play by the Mustangs all night, the Tigers seemed to be kept more on their heels all night.

Midway through the second quarter, Woods was lost to an apparent shoulder injury, and did not return. He was replaced under center by junior Reggie Jeter.

Following halftime, the Tigers returned to the field, still unable to make any noise against the Mustang defense. One positive for the Tigers, however, was that they were able to thwart each two-point conversion the Mustangs attempted, keeping eight points off the board.

The Tigers will have a solid week to work on the little things, including snaps, before heading to Atlanta on Friday, Sept. 2. In order to “right the ship,” so to speak, the Tigers will also have to work at eliminating the numerous penalties that they received on Thursday.

The game in Atlanta is set for 7:30 p.m.