Tigers vs. Zebras: A Sarcastic Love Letter to Game One The first football game of 2025 against the Grandview Zebras was… let’s call it better than expected—like biting into gas station sushi and realizing you might live to tell the tale. Many predicted a bloodbath, but instead, we saw a gritty performance that gave the Zebras a legitimate scare. With a roster that’s “skill-light but experience-heavy up front,” our boys showed flashes of what could be a very interesting season. Offense: Still Cooking The foundation of this year’s offense? Our experienced O-Line. They set the tone early, carving out running lanes and giving the QB enough time to breathe. Points went on the board in the first half, which is more than some predicted (admit it). But let’s be real—some moments were raw. Like, Gordon Ramsay screaming-in-the-kitchen raw. If he’d been on the sideline, he’d have bellowed, “This defense is so undercooked it’s still looking for its mom!” Fair, but we’re baking a team here. Give it a little more oven time, and you’re going to taste something glorious. The Three-Yard Line Tragedy & Missed Fourth Downs On the three-yard line, just feet away from six points, we somehow lost the one-on-one battle. Painful. Add a couple of missed fourth-down stops at midfield, and you’ve got a recipe for frustration. But that’s where experience, confidence, and grit will kick in. Let it simmer. The flavor is coming. The New QB: Baptism by Fire Connally—sophomore, QB1, first varsity start. Nervous? Of course. Who wouldn’t be facing a traditionally tough Grandview squad? But here’s the good news: he’s got a wall of beef in front of him. Big boys. The kind of linemen who pack ribeye’s for lunch and don’t need to chew. The kind of guys who laugh in the face of adversity as fear just tickles their bellies. Don’t fret, momma—your boy’s in good hands. The Bright Spots Ryder Ribitzki came to play. He looked like he’d been here before—offensive contributions plus 19 tackles. Nineteen. He’s everywhere, like glitter at an elementary school art project. And then there’s Dougie. Bias alert—dad opinion incoming—but he looked sharp at linebacker. Chasing down ball carriers like a fat kid after the last slice of pizza. Beautiful. Luke Males and Tyson Sullivan showed their talent as they were staples for yardage and big plays. It won't take long for opponents to cue in on their talent and seek to stop their agility. Cross Littlejohn has that same potential to be quick and shifty. Time and experience will prove to work its magic with the two. The newbies: Sometimes the newcomers hide in the shadows until the spotlight turns their direction later in the season, yet Jacob Willey forced "center stage" with his first career varsity appearance tallying the first interception of the season. With experience, don't be surprised to hear Simmons, Leach, Diaz, Magana, and Myers more often. Don't be surprised as all of these newcomers become better and better each week. We're not eating at Applebee's any more boys, its prime aged beef at Del Frisco's. Defense: A Work in Progress Defensively, we were solid… but not flawless. Coach Pair doesn’t expect absolute perfection, but trust me, he’s not letting this squad settle for “solid.” Expect adjustments. Expect improvement. Expect these boys to be making stops like bouncers at a toddler rave—nobody’s getting through. The Bullhorn Brigade Off the field? Oh, we had entertainment. The student section brought a bullhorn. A bullhorn. Honestly, I’m shocked Grandview didn’t call in a SWAT team and repel from the press box. . Friendly reminder: Under Senate Bill 2929, you can be ejected from school sporting events for basically anything a UIL official decides is disruptive. No verbal warning needed. One bad word, one questionable gesture, one overly passionate cowbell ring—and boom. You’re gone. So kids, keep it classy. No need to end up as the first UIL case study on “Friday Night Detention.” Final Thoughts This team has potential. Real potential. It’s not perfect yet, but the foundation is there, and the ceiling is high. As always, I’ve got faith in these Tigers—and so should you.