By Michael V. Hannigan
NACOGDOCHES — There would be no upset this time.
For the second straight year, the Malakoff Tigers (10-1) drew Buna in the first round of the playoffs and Friday night they made amends for last year’s unexpected loss with a 41-14 beat down of the Cougars.
The game was never close with the Tigers dominating in all three phases of the game.
“We were really ready to play,” said Coach Jamie Driskell. “We had a great week of practices.”
The Tiger offense came out on fire, scoring on five of seven first half possessions with quarterback Judd Miller connecting on three touchdown passes, two to Q.T. Barker and one to Tyler Russell. Dylan Grim and A.J. Cook also picked up touchdowns on the ground to give Malakoff a 35-0 lead going into halftime.
Of course, you don’t pitch a first half shutout without the defense doing its job and after the game, Driskell was quick to praise the defensive players and coaches.
“I am very proud of the ‘D,'” he said.
Buna’s best drive of the half was its first, when the Cougars took the opening kickoff and rode a short passing game all the way to the Malakoff 3 yard line. But the Tiger defense held its ground and Buna never again threatened until the fourth quarter when the game was out of reach.
Russell also added an interception for the Tigers in the first half, and the defense got another takeaway in the second half when Barker recovered a fumble.
The Tigers benefited from two other turnovers in the first half, both on fumble recoveries by Jake Woolverton on kickoffs.
Malakoff’s final touchdown of the night came on a 32-yard punt return by Russell.
With the win, the Tigers earned a matchup with Cameron Yoe Yoemen, who are ranked No. 4 in the state by the Associated Press. Malakoff will play Cameron Yoe Friday, Nov. 20 in Waco.
Below is some of the video from the game.
Malakoff TD run by Dylan Grim against Buna. #txhsfbplayoffs A video posted by Henderson County Now (@hctxnow) on