Published: October 11, 2008 10:08 pm            

Bringing the fire

Tigers redeem themselves with big win over Panthers

If every game on the Tiger's schedule is a big game, then Friday night's Corsicana and Midlothian game was super jumbo.

For the first time ever Midlothian was picked ahead of the Tigers in the district race and picked to win the football game at Panther Stadium. Given the fact that the Tigers were a little embarrassed at last weeks homecoming affair just added fuel to the Midlothian fire.

Apparently Curtis and Doc loaded the extinguishers on the Corsicana equipment truck. The Tigers doused the fire and refused to lose to a team that has never defeated them on the varsity football field, Corsicana 33 Midlothian 15.

Defensive coordinator Blain Stoops' troops harassed Tennessee committed quarterback Bryce Petty all night, and they did it with their best player playing offense for the vast majority of the game.

Head coach Dave Henigan moved super warrior Cody Evans to starting tailback and, per the usual, number 34 responded with vigor. Evans rushed for a Tiger single player season high 164 yards including a 38 yard run for a touchdown. "That play was called 35," said a smiling Evans. The thought immediately came to mind that the Tigers scored 33 using 34 and a play called 35.

Evans was able to play so much offense because his fill-in, Matt Speed, did a tremendous job filling Evans' linebacking role. Speed was put into the spotlight and seemingly didn't flinch.

"Matt did a fantastic job tonight," Henigan said. "He made an outstanding catch on an onside kick despite being hit after calling for a fair catch, and did a tremendous job on defense."

The defensive front seven had a fantastic game. Linebackers Martin Davis and Ike Hunter proved themselves adept at stopping Petty and the spread offense. Defensive end Arsenio Cole one upped them by intercepting a Petty pass and running it in for a touchdown.

Another player that stepped up moving from defense to offense was backup quarterback and previous weeks starting safety Andey Means. Means' second pass of the night was a perfectly thrown beauty to Matt Ward who made a tremendous over the shoulder catch and found his way to the end zone. The 54 yard strike was just what the Tiger football doc ordered to douse the Midlothian flame and to light the proverbial Tiger torch.

"I am really proud of the way Andey played tonight," said quarterback Cameron Young who watched the game in street clothes due to a broken collarbone. "He really came in and stepped it up when we had to have him."

Means picked up where Young left off doing damage via his legs and arm. Means threw for one touchdown and showed off his wheels on another zig zagging through the Panther defense for a 40 yard touchdown run.

"Andey did a great job," fullback Chris Humphries said. "We worked hard all week and things worked out for us tonight."

The collective effort and total virtual re-boot of the squad in 7-days put the Tigers in the middle of the 16-4A race. It was a must win game in Midlothian and the Tigers did what they must.

"There were a few butterflies before the game," said Means who is now 1-0 as the Tiger signal caller. "As the game progressed, I became more and more comfortable."

The Tigers now find themselves in a much more comfortable position in the 16-4A race that includes the next three games against Ennis, Waco and Waxahachie.

"Tonight was a good win for us," Humphries said. "Tomorrow morning we get back to work."

        

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