Tigers round up Longhorns

    Tailback Robert Jasper had another big night for Tipton rushing for 199 yards and four touchdowns in helping the No. 3 ranked Tigers remained unbeaten in 2000 as they de-horned Alex, 32-14, in last Friday’s District B-1 match-up.

• Tipton Tiger Team Page

• Talented Tigers roaring in District B-1

• Tigers topple Temple

• Tigers buck Bronchos

• Tigers kick Donkeys

• Tipton outlasts Snyder in key district showdown

    Both defenses were tough in the early going as neither team sniffed the endzone until Jasper sprinted 52 yards for the game’s first score with 5:22 remaining in the second quarter giving the Tigers a 6-0 lead.
    A scrappy Longhorn team answered as Derrick Wilson scored from five yards out with 1:41 remaining.  Alex quarterback Damon Merchant ran in the two-point conversion and the Longhorns took an 8-6 lead.
    That lead wouldn’t last long as Jasper struck once again.  This time the junior standout scored from 51 yards with just :21 remaining in the first half as the Tigers gained a 12-8 advantage heading into the locker rooms.
    Tipton upped the lead to two touchdowns early in the third as Jasper again did the damage on a one-yard plunge.  Justin White added the two-point conversion and the Tigers led, 20-8.
    The Longhorns closed the gap late in the third as Merchant hooked up with Wilson for a 44-yard scoring strike with 14 seconds remaining.  The Tiger defense made a big stop on the two-point conversion to keep their lead at six, 20-14.
    After the score, Alex looked to have some momentum, but Tiger defensive end Erick Sutherland blocked a Longhorn punt setting up another Tipton score as the Tigers quickly put the game away with two fourth-quarter touchdowns.  White connected with Nathan Soliz for a 57-yard scoring strike extending the Tigers’ lead to 26-14, and Jasper scored from three yards out for the final margin, 32-14.
    “After last week’s emotional game with Snyder, we were kind of flat all week, and we came out flat (Friday night).”  Tipton coach Jim Kerbo said, “It’s kind of understandable, but our kids bounced back, especially after the half.”
    “I thought our defense played great, especially our interior.” Kerbo said of the Tigers’ defensive effort against Alex, “I feel like, overall, it was our best defensive game.”
    “I think we’re getting better every week,” Kerbo added of the Tigers, “and if we continue to do that, then I think we can turn into a championship caliber football team.”
    Tipton should have easy-pickins’ on Friday as they play host to a young Cyril team.  The Pirates will enter the game with a record of 1-5 overall and 0-3 in district play.  It will be the final regular season home game for the Tigers as they are on the road for the final three games.  Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.