South Cameron Tarpons nab 27-26 win over Tigers

By MIKE RIZZUTO

Sun Times Editor

For the Lake Arthur Fighting Tiger football team, the difference from being 1-3 this season instead of 3-1 is just four measly points.

The Tigers, who narrowly lost to Westminster Christian on the road 25-22 a couple of weeks ago, dropped a heartbreaking 27-26 non-district decision to the undefeated South Cameron Tarpons this past Friday evening, September 25, 2008 at Jack Doland Stadium, despite courageously rallying from a two touchdown deficit in the first half of play.

South Cameron seemed to be cruising to yet another easy win in the opening half, as running backs Kyle Little and Dex Murphy contributed touchdown runs of five and 16 yards respectively to give the visitors a quick 14-0 advantage.

But the home team would storm back ferociously behind senior running back Darius Jones, who exploded for three consecutive touchdown runs from 15, 20, and one yard away, giving his Tiger team a 20-14 lead at the break.

South Cameron found success offensively in the third quarter, as Murphy added two more touchdown runs from four and 12 yards out, as the Tarpons forged ahead by seven points, 27-20.

Lake Arthur quarterback Colby Lavergne cut the margin to just one point moments later, puncturing Tarpon paydirt from two yards out to make the score 27-26.

The two-point PAT run was no good, and both defenses ultimately stiffened in the final period of play, allowing no further points, as South Cameron escaped with the 27-26 win.

The Tigers dominated the game statistically, outrushing South Cameron 170-127 and beating them via the airways by a 149-64 spread. But missed opportunities, turnovers, and errors in the kicking game all combined to thwart a potential Tiger victory, as the home team fell by the narrowest of margins.

Jones led Lake Arthur in rushing yardage with 91 yards on 16 attempts, while teammate Auldon Robinson added 57 yards on 13 carries.

South Cameron’s Murphy was the game’s leading rusher with 97 yards on 15 tries.

Tiger quarterback Lavergne completed nine of 16 passes for 149 yards, as Josh Turner hauled in four for 68 yards and Brad Armentor caught three for 65 markers.

Each team committed three turnovers and collected 11 first downs in the tightly played contest.

With the loss, the Tigers fell to 1-3 overall, while South Cameron improved to 3-0 with the win.