Menu
State Quarter Finals: Tigers end of the road
The Caruthersville Tigers entered the State Quarter finals as the District 1 champions with a record of 9-2. The Lutheran North Crusaders came to Hoke field as the District 2 champions with a record of 11-0. The winner of this matchup would go to the State Semi-Finals. Unfortunately for the Tigers, this would be their last game of the season, as the Lutheran North Crusaders overtook the Tigers by a score of 64-7.
The visiting Lutheran North Crusaders won the toss and elected to receive as the game got underway at Hoke Field Friday, Nov. 10. The Tigers prepared to receive the opening kick-off as the game got underway. Terrius Rodgers received the Crusader kick, which was deep, and returned it to the 35-yardline. The result of the first possession was a three and out, but the Crusaders had no better luck on their first possession. The resulting punt by the Crusaders was not as deep as the initial kickoff and the Tigers started their second possession near the 45-yard line. After an incomplete pass attempt, Charles Goliday was able to make a completion to Demarco Slaughter, resulting in the first first-down of the game. The Tigers were able to continue moving the ball forward, aided by Crusader penalties. Another complete pass, this time to Chris Smith and the Tigers had a first and goal. With 5:30 left in the first quarter, Goliday called his own number and raced to the end zone for the first points of the game. The PAT was good, and the Tigers took the early lead, 7-0.
Lutheran North, appeared to be surprised by the initial success of the Tigers. They made quick work of their next possession. The kickoff was received near the 25 and returned to the 34-yard line. On the next play, the Crusaders running back, ran around the Tiger defenses and took the ball 66 yards to the end zone. The two-point conversion attempt was good and Lutheran North was ahead 8-7 with 5:10 left in the first quarter. The Tigers received the kickoff deep and returned to the near the 30. After incomplete passes and Goliday getting caught in the backfield, the Tigers had a bit of luck when the Crusaders gave the Tigers first down compliments of penalties. The Tigers continued to struggle, not gaining much momentum, in either passing or running, but more Crusader penalties kept the Tigers alive for a little bit longer. Eventually the Tigers had to punt the ball back to the Crusaders. The Tigers punt was deep, and the Crusaders were not able to return the ball, starting on the 7-yard line. The Crusaders started with short passes and carries, making steady progress. With Lutheran North in possession of the ball and heading toward their end zone, the horn sounded the end of the first quarter. 7-8 Lutheran North.
As the second quarter started, a penalty by the Tigers allowed the Crusaders yet another first down. The Crusaders lined up and on the snap, the Crusaders burst a hole through the Tiger defensive line and ran 58 yards to the end zone for a touchdown. The two-point conversion was good. With 11:49 left in the half, Lutheran North led 16-7. The resulting kickoff was a touchback and the Tigers started on the 20-yard line. The Tigers were unable to make much progress and had to punt the ball back to the Crusaders. Lutheran North made a first down. On their next possession, the Crusaders again found a hole in the Tiger defensive line and ran the ball 33-yard for a touchdown. The two-point conversion was unsuccessful. With 10:21 left in the half, Lutheran North was ahead 7-22.
Again, the Crusaders kicked the ball through the end zone allowing the Tigers to start their drive on the 20-yard line. The Tigers continued to struggle in both the running game and the passing game as the Crusaders found ways to stop the Tigers forward momentum. The Tigers had to punt the ball back to the Crusaders. The punt was short, giving Lutheran North excellent field position. With a short field, the Crusaders push ahead making a couple first downs before again landing in their end zone. The two-point conversion was good and with 8:16 left in the half, the Crusaders expanded their lead to 7-30. The Tigers received the kickoff near the 10 and ran it back to the 25. Some forward progress was made, aided by Crusader penalties, but eventually the Tigers had to give the ball back to the Crusader on downs. The Crusaders, taking advantage of the short field, gain their ow first down. on their next series, Lutheran NortPemih again found the end zone, expanding their lead after a successful PAT to 7-37 with 4:49 left in the half. The Tigers again try to make something of their possession, but were stopped at every turn by the Crusader defenses. The tigers had to punt the ball back to the Crusaders. The Crusaders managed to complete passes and made another touchdown before the half ended. After the Tigers had to punt yet again, the Crusaders had a field goal opportunity, but were unsuccessful. The teams retreated to the locker rooms for the half with the Crusaders firmly in the lead 44-7.
The second half started with the Tigers kickoff to the Crusaders and the clock continuing to run unstopped. The kickoff was deep and was returned to near the 35-yard line. On their first possession, the Crusaders continued to show their dominance of the Tiger defenses by running around the Tiger line 63 yards for an early touchdown. The point after was good. With 11:18 left in the 3rd quarter, the Crusaders extended their lead to 7-51. From that point forward, neither team made much progress in the third quarter. The 4th quarter opened with the Crusaders again near their end zone. A short Crusader run and another Crusader touchdown and successful extra point. With 10:50 left in the game, Lutheran North 7-58. The Tigers continued to fight, but were unable to make any progress or gain any additional points. The Crusaders were able to make one more trip to the end zone, ending the night with a Crusader win, 7-64. The Tigers ended their season 9-3 and holding their heads high.
“I’m proud of these guys, had a good year…I don’t feel like any game except this one that they couldn’t have won. Just proud of the guys, they gave a good effort throughout the year. Proud of the way things finished…nobody really hung their head…the guys still gave an effort. We started off with some good momentum, struck first…The guys made a fight...I’m pleased with them... We come out and compete and compete hard. I just can’t ask for more than that,” said Coach Jimmy Jackson.
Editor’s note: Much thanks to Thomas Guest for providing the statistics for the games all season.