Just short
Tigers nearly come back in the 4th, but fall 32-25
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GOLIAD - Mistakes cost the Goliad Tigers the game, but heart gave them a chance until the end.
The Tigers (0-4) made a furious comeback against Luling (1-3) in the final five minutes but fell just short 32-25.
The Tigers had a final opportunity to get the ball back and tie with an onside kick with 2:25 remaining in the game. The kick went through one Luling Eagle's hands but rested in another to squash the Tigers rally bid.
Tigers' quarterback Tyler Althof was responsible for all three Goliad turnovers on two interceptions and a fumble, but it's safe to say the Tigers wouldn't have been in the game without him.
He completed 21-of-37 passes for 263 yards and slung three touchdowns. He also ran for 53 yards and a touchdown. On the Tigers' final touchdown drive, Althof had a hand in all 82 yards, completing 5-of-7 passes and scampering in from six yards out to close the deficit to one score. Althof said he was determined to keep his team in the game.
"I feel like I made some good choices, but I also made some bad ones," Althof said. "But the only thing that matters to me is wins and losses, and we lost. We've just got to come back Monday and keep working."
Althof spread the wealth, finding six different receivers at least twice. He said that despite the loss and the winless record, the Tigers will be a contender in District 28-3A.
"I think it showed a lot that we showed our composure until the end," he said. "We're a good football team, we've said that all year. I think when district comes we'll be right in the mix."
Thanks to four first half turnovers by the Eagles, the Tigers built an 12-10 lead at halftime. Althof found Imoni Cross twice in the back of end zone for scores, with Cross having to tip-toe the back line to stay in bounds for the first. Cross, who had four grabs for 39 yards, said the offense played well and had a lot to build on.
"Our offense is good, Tyler is a great quarterback, we just have to start executing at crucial times," Cross said. "I'm sure we'll come back to practice stronger, and the next time it comes down to something like this, we can do it."
A 28-yard interception return for a touchdown by Eagle's cornerback Ceasar Corpus turned the momentum for Luling. The Eagles went on to score 22 unanswered points in the second half to secure a 32-18 lead with five minutes remaining.
Craig Mager did the bulk of the damage for the Eagles, rushing for 125 yards on 13 carries. After a one-handed interception by Billy Medford to halt a Goliad drive, Mager ripped off a backbreaking 52-yard touchdown run down the sidelines immediately following an interception.
Tigers' coach Greg Althof said the team had opportunities to put the game away when they had the lead, but were unable to make it happen, and that their mistakes let Luling back in the game.
"We had opportunities, we just didn't capitalize on them," "We had a few mistakes that hurt us, but Tyler has matured each week. Whatever he did in this week he's going to improve on and get better."
But Althof was confident that his team would rebound. With a game against La Grange and a bye week before district play begins against Palacios, he said the team has time and the ability to work out the kinks before the district season picks up.
"They played hard. They play hard every week," Althof said. "We just have to capitalize on those opportunities when they present themselves. This team is resilient and they're going to be OK."
