By: Miles Metze, '20
On the Friday of September 6, the Holy Cross Tigers faced the St. Thomas More Cougars under the bright lights at Yulman Stadium. This game was a great measuring tool for the Tigers as a kick-off to their 2019-2020 season. Last year, St. Thomas More finished runner-up to University Lab in one of highest scoring games in LHSSA history. The Tigers began with three-star junior running back Jaden Handy who crossed the pilon into the endzone to give the tigers the 7-0 lead. In an ensuing drive the Cougars’ high-powered offense put a touchdown on the board to tie the game at 7-7. The momentum went back and forth between the two teams, however, the score ending the first quarter was 14-7, Cougars. To start the second quarter senior Tyler Grubbs had a spectacular tip interception on the goal line to hold the Cougars. As the Tigers drove the ball down the field, Junior QB John Wooton and Senior Wide Receiver Tyler Kirkwood had a couple of hook-ups on 3rd down to keep the Tigers alive. At the end of the second quarter the score was still 14-7, Cougars. Tackling was a problem all night for the Tigers; almost every time the Cougars caught a pass there was some type of run after each catch. As described by junior defensive end Barryn Sorrel, “We needed this [lesson]. St. Thomas More is a very good team and we learned where we are strong and what we need to work on going forward.” Entering the fourth quarter the cougars were up 21-7. However, the Tigers were on the 1-yard line where they ran a bootleg that was blown up in the backfield for a loss and turned over on downs. After the game, we asked head coach Guy LeCompte what changes need to be made as the season goes on to stop teams from scoring the ball. He responded “Well, we need to come down faster from the secondary and wrap up on our tackles. What’s killing us is the run after catch.” Overall the Tigers have a couple things they need to work on, however anyone watching can see this team has a lot of potential. Next week, the Tigers take a trip across the Twin-span to face the Covington Lions, Friday at 7pm. Go Tigers!