Head Coach Jay Northcutt expressed his goal of starting the game quickly, something that had evaded Frenship up to that point in the season. The Tiger defense forced Midland High into an early three-and-out but while moving the ball well and gaining first downs, Corbin Gandy tossed an interception. The Bulldogs went on to take an 8-0 lead following a safety on a broken punt play and later a touchdown with a blocked kick.
All was not lost for the Tigers as senior running back William Bayouth punched in a touchdown from 2 yards out to close the Tigers’ gap to 7-8. Bayouth finished the day with 20 carries for 75 yards. The Bulldogs extended the lead back to 8 on a long touchdown run, but junior quarterback Corbin Gandy shrugged off his early miscue to lead the Tigers’ charge tossing a 4-yard touchdown strike to Andrew Braddock. Frenship took the lead and kept it on a Jon Olivarez 23-yard field goal. Olivarez would go on to hit two more field goals from 33 and 35 to give the Tigers a 23-15 lead heading into the fourth quarter.
Gandy announced his presence to the Little Southwest Conference with a 28-yard touchdown scamper up the middle to put the Tigers up 30-15. Junior running back Tai’ja Smith saw significant time at the Tigers’ sniffer position, acting as a blocker and toting carries out of the backfield. Smith finished the game with 2 carries for 36 yards, including a 31-yard long. Smith punched in the Tigers’ final touchdown of the evening on a 5-yard carry.
The Tiger defense was stout throughout the ballgame as well snagging 3 interceptions by Brady Wolfe, Tristin Laughlin, and KK Meier and 2 fumbles on the evening. A pivotal turnover in the third quarter ended an unusual course of events as Midland High kicked a 33-yard FG but accepted a penalty on Frenship taking points off the board and getting a 1st and goal from the 8-yard line. A bad snap pushed Midland High back to the 16-yard line and another bad snap resulted in a sack and forced fumble by Jake Gilbert. Kyle McCormick fell on it immediately and a 23-18 game became a 23-15 game and Frenship would drive on to extend the lead to 15 on Gandy’s rushing touchdown going ahead 30-15.
Gandy went 18/29 for 210, 1 touchdown, and 1 interception on the day, including an impressive 51-yard toss to Carson Miller. Gandy also tacked on 4 rushes for 35 yards and the score. While not finding the endzone, Miller led all receivers with 7 snags for 122 yards.
Frenship will be back in action Friday, October 23 in their home opener at People’s Bank Stadium against San Angelo Central. Homecoming festivities will take place including a pep rally during the school day at the stadium. Princes and the Homecoming King will be crowned in pregame festivities and Homecoming Princesses and the Queen will be crowned following the Tiger Band’s performance at halftime.
Tickets to the home side are sold out and ticket information for the visitor side can be found on www.frenship.net. The game will be broadcast on Frenship.TV and Double T 97.3 FM with Keith Patrick and Chois Woodman on the call. Frenship.TV will also be streaming the Tiger Band halftime show in its entirety with full band audio. Due to licensing restrictions, the halftime audio will only be available for live stream and not in recorded versions.