Football fans, it’s that time of year again! The smell of fresh-cut grass, the sounds of whistles blowing, the 100-degree sun beating down on the field. The boys have worked the last 9 nine months in preparation for this day. As Kenny Chesney says it so perfectly, “You mess with one man you got us all, the boys of fall”, let’s go baby!

Game one was a barn burner as Stratford JV Green traveled to Tomball to kick off the season. The boys fought hard on both sides of the ball, but in the end came up just short in an exciting game.

Stratford started the game on offense and quickly moved the ball down the field. Gavin Guzman completed a 31-yard Mahomes-esque rollout pass to TJ Robinson. After 40+ yards of Dylan Faulkner runs, the drive stalled out and Stratford attempted a 38-yard field goal that was blocked. After a great tackle for a 2-yard loss by Griffin Marye, Ty Greene made an amazingly acrobatic interception to get the ball back for Guzman and Co. The first half continued back-and-forth until Tomball was able to convert a 3rd and 14 for a 42-yard TD. Tomball followed this up with another quick TD to extend the lead to 14-0. Stratford cut into the lead with a 4th down converting 22-yard TD from Guzman to AJ West making it 14-6 to end the half.

The second half kickoff was returned by Tomball to the 32 where the lightning-fast Colton Barber made the tackle. Aiden Wheeler closed out the three-and-out with a sack on 3rd and 8. The 3rd quarter was scoreless with notable plays from Reayon Harris INT in the end zone and multiple Guzman scrambles for big gains. Guzman then started the 4th quarter with a 29-yard pass to Quincey McCall, who caught the ball right off the defender’s head for a TD. After another Ty Greene tackle for loss, Reayon Harris picked off a pass and returned it 25 yards to midfield with 2 minutes remaining and down by 5. Unfortunately, the clock ran out on the Spartans, and they lost a nail-biter opening game.

There were many things to be proud of, and it could have easily gone the other way with just a single play. It looks like it will be a great season, and everyone has so much to look forward to!