Friday night’s gloomy and rainy weather could not dampen the spirits of the Frenship community after the Tiger’s home opener at Peoples Bank Stadium. As a matter of fact, nothing could.
The Tiger defense caused four Wichita Falls Hirschi turnovers on the night – three of which set up touchdowns by the Tiger offense – and FHS overcame an early deficit to beat the Huskies 36-23 Friday in Wolfforth. The win marks the first for a group of players who have carried the torch for head coach Jay Northcutt since he took over the program in 2017.
“It feels great to get over that hump,” Northcutt said. “I’m so proud of these kids and coaches because they’ve come such a long way. These kids never lost heart during a tough season last year. All it did was make them hungry to come back and to uphold the tradition that Frenship has, and I think we’re on our path.”
Trailing 16-14 at halftime, FHS scored 22 unanswered points in the second half to take control of the tight contest. The Tigers started the third quarter with interceptions on Hirschi’s first two offensive possessions courtesy Colton Brown and Colton Anderson, and the O cashed in both takeaways with points.
William Bayouth scored his second of three rushing touchdowns to give Frenship a 22-16 lead with 7:44 left in the quarter. He followed it up two minutes later with a 12-yard touchdown reception from Austin Phillips to stretch the lead to 29-16.
Bayouth would add a 17-yard TD scamper in the fourth quarter to put the game on ice and even the Tiger’s early-season record at 1-1.
FHS will look to carry the momentum of the win into this week’s crosstown rivalry game versus Lubbock Cooper. The Tigers and Pirates renew their matchup Friday at Pirate Stadium in Woodrow. Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m.
FRENSHIP 36, WICHITA FALLS HIRSCHI 23
Hirschi 7 9 0 7 — 23
Frenship 7 7 15 7 — 36
First Quarter
H – Diamarqua Foster 62 pass from Nate Downing (Jhaidon Duran kick), 3:33
F – William Bayouth 1 run (Cage Jones kick), 2:08
Second Quarter
H – Tian Harrell 10 run (try failed), 8:08
F – Cooper Scott 8 pass from Austin Phillips (Jones kick), 3:38
H – Duran 23 FG, :18
Third Quarter
F – Bayouth 3 run (Brown pass to Newsome), 7:44
F – Bayouth 12 pass from Phillips (Jones kick), 5:53
Fourth Quarter
F – Bayouth 17 run (Jones kick), 7:41
A – Jevione Livingston 13 pass from Downing (Duran kick), 1:28
FRENSHIP STATS
First downs: 11
Rushes-yards: 17-45
Passing yards: 168
Comp.-att.-int.: 22-38-2
Fumbles-lost: 1-1
RUSHING: William Bayouth 11-45, Drew Hocutt 2-8, Daniel Ramirez 2-0, Jordan Maden 1-2, Team 1-(-10)
PASSING: Austin Phillips 22-38-2-168
RECEIVING: Skyler Newsome 6-57, Cooper Scott 5-33, Colton Brown 4-17, William Bayouth 4-50, Max Rowley 3-11
*pictures provided by Curry Photography