“ But at this stage , the all are .”
The calendar flipped to December and the Tigers , along with a bus load of fans rolled into Waxhachie hoping the Tigers could turn the tables on the last team to beat them , Grandview . The Tigers won 29- 17 to move into the semifinal with Brock .
The Tigers came into the Brock game with some gaudy offensive numbers . Quarterback Mike Jones had thrown for 2,157 yards and 24 touchdowns , with five interceptions . He had also run for 444 yards .
Jason Tennyson had rolled up 1,355 yards on 206 carries and 26 scores . Damien Jackson had 16 touchdowns and 727 yards .
Defensively , Chauncey Hogg had picked off seven passes .
For the Brock game , once again Malakoff fans loaded up the bus and set out for Frisco .
The game was played under the roof at the Ford Center , an excellent venue for a 3A playoff game . One the line
Season : 13-2 , 6-0 8-26 West Rusk 28-7 9-2 Grandview 17-21 9-9 Salado 29-27 9-16 Gladewater 52-14 9-23 Kemp 63-0 9-30 Fairfield 47-3 10-7 Teague 32-18 10-14 Eustace 77-0 10-27 Mexia 55-14 11-4 Groesbeck 48-0 Playoffs 11-11 Madison 62-0 11-18 Winnsboro 55-10 11-25 West 35-14 12-2 Grandview 29-17 12-8 Brock 10-21 was a chance to play for the title at At & T stadium .
Unfortunately , on this night , Brock was able to overcome an early Tiger field goal and consistently move the ball on the ground , while mixing in key passes .
Brock Coach Billy Mathis said , “ You go play one of the top teams in the state , this is how it ’ s going to be . You have to keep pounding and be consistent .”
Brock was able to corral the Tigers like no one before , holding them to just 75 yards on the ground . Brock piled up 239 yards rushing .
Malakoff fans could cherish one playoff memory from the game , a remarkable 92-yard punt return by Hogg that momentarily gave the Tigers momentum in the fourth quarter .
For the season , as a whole , Malakoff could file away many special moments , from one of the team ’ s best seasons ever . The 13 wins ties the 2018 season for second most all time for the Tigers , trailing only 14-1 mark from 2016 .
Greater Athens Magazine | January 2023 | 33