Tigers lose season opener to Breckenridge

Definitely something to build off of.

Jacksboro found itself down three touchdowns late in Friday night’s season opener with Breckenridge at Tiger Stadium but the hosts who had to fight from behind all night, found something in their tank late and managed to get within one score in the final 30 seconds but an onside kick failed, giving the Buckaroos a hard fought 43-36 win.

Tiger Coach Brannon Rodgers said his squad’s heart and gumption let him know his squad is ready for a good season.

“We never gave up and played to the end,” Rodgers said. “Our veteran kids tied the team together and kept us in the game.”

Up 20-9 at the half, Breckenridge looked to put things away in the opening minute of the third. Owen Woodward’s 32-yard scoring reception of a Kevin Franco pass extending the lead to 26-9.

Jacksboro continued to fight, eating up eight minutes of clock time with a 50-yard drive ended on sophomore Landon Davenport’s three-yard run around the left side. It would be the first of two Davenport scores in the half.

“He was Johnny on the spot for us this evening,” Rodgers said. 

Davenport gave credit to his blockers and teammates for a successful start to his varsity career. Breckenridge used a short field goal and another Woodward scoring reception to go up 36-16 with 10:23 left.  A Garrett White interception set up a five-play, 70-yard drive culminating in Justin Loucks’ 23-yard run up the gut to draw within 36-23.

Breckenridge came right back with a nearly five-minute drive, ending in Diego Arellano’s 11-yard scoring run with 2:31 to go. Davenport’s second score of the night, a 74-yard reception from Ethan Sanchez brought the Tigers within striking distance with 2:12 left.

Sanchez, who was 7-12 passing for 186 yards, came through defensively as well with a fumble recovery to give the hosts the ball at the Breckenridge 44. Five plays later, Sanchez hooked up with Ke’Ondrae Sadler on a fourth down scoring strike from 27 yards out to get within 43-36 with 28 ticks left.

The Tigers hit the road next Friday for Windthorst, which beat Henrietta to open its season. Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m.