Tigers clawed by Wildcats, 52-27, in Bi-District

The Daingerfield Tigers’ 2016 football season came to close on Nov. 11, after the Tigers fell to the Winona Wildcats in their Bi-District matchup. The Tigers ended their season with a record of 6-5, and the 7AAA Division 2 Championship.

The Tigers final game of the season, set at Longview’s Springhill Stadium, began in typical Tiger fashion, with the Tigers winning the toss and deferring to the second half. The Tigers’ quickly dispatched the Wildcats on their first drive, forcing a three and out. Following the Wildcat punt, the Tigers began their first drive on the Winona 47 yard line. Just a few plays later and the Tigers lit up the score, giving the Daingerfield fans reason to be excited.

The Wildcats made sure to not be held in their own territory on the next drive, knocking off a long run before a deep pass put them on the board. Tying the score at 7 all. In a somewhat unorthodox call, Winona set up an onside kick, which they were able to recover. A few plays later, and the Winona held their first lead of the game, 14-7.

Daingerfield was unable to gain much momentum, as Winona seemed to stymy the Tigers’ potent rushing attack. With 11 minutes left in the second quarter, Winona scored again, going up 21-7. The Tigers clawed their way back, however, and went into halftime trailing by a field goal, 21-24.

Daingerfield and Winona swapped drives to begin the second half, with Daingerfield jumping ahead on a touchdown pass to Cedric Arthur. That would be the Tigers’ final trip to the end zone, and their final lead of the game, as the Wildcats pulled away in the second half. Winona would rattle off 28 unanswered points while completely shutting down the Tigers’ offense.

In a season where many wrote the Tigers off before they had begun, the team still had a fine season. Between an entirely new coaching staff and many players who had not played at the varsity level prior to this season, six wins is definitely something to be proud of. Coach Waldie and his staff will graduate only nine seniors, and are looking at a junior varsity team that only lost one game all season. Those things coupled with an eighth grade team that went undefeated, should leave Tiger fans optimistic for the future.