Tigers Fall To Chiefs

The Graceville Tigers hung close with Northview for three quarters but the Chiefs pulled away in the fourth quarter for a 24-6 win in the regular season opener for both squads. Northview took the early lead when they booted a field goal on their opening drive. But Graceville came right back with a nice opening drive that was capped off by a 5 yard scoring run by Allante Oliver-Barnes. The Tigers two point attempt failed but they held a 6-3 lead mid-way through the first quarter.

Northview came right back and marched down the field. They scored and kicked the extra point to take a 10-6 lead with just over a minute to play in the first quarter. The teams traded possessions and midway through the second quarter the Tiger defense held the Chiefs to force a 33 yard field goal attempt. It went wide left and Graceville still trailed by just four points. The Tigers mounted a drive and got a nice 25 yard pass play from Jacky Miles to Kevin Potts. But with just under four minutes to play in the half a Miles pass was tipped by a Graceville receiver. The Chiefs picked off the pass but then the Tiger defense forced a fumble moments later that was recovered by Jeremy Watford. The Tiger offense was unable to move the ball and were forced to punt with just over a minute remaining in the half. Northview took the punt and raced down the sidelines for a 60 yard touchdown. The extra point kick made it a 17-6 ball game at the half.

In the third quarter Graceville kept battling but were unable to put any points on the board. A fake punt saw Watford pick up a first down and that was followed by a 15 yard run by Miles. But once again the Tiger offense stalled and gave up the ball on downs at the Chief 15 yard line. The Tiger defense had done their part though as they held the Chiefs scoreless in the third quarter so as the teams entered the final quarter Graceville still only trailed by 11 points. But Northview took care of that with a touchdown one minute into that fourth quarter. The extra point kick made it 24-6 and that score held for the rest of the game.

The Tigers were led on offense by Miles who went 9-13 for 156 yards. He also scrambled for 34 yards on 18 carries. Darae Laster led the receiver corp with four catches for 74 yards. The Tiger defense was led by Watford with 13 tackles and Miles with 9 tackles.