If state championships were won on paper, then go ahead and give Tenaha the 2017 2A Division II trophy. They look that good.
The coaches around the state even picked the Tigers to unseat three-time defending champion Bremond, who handed Tenaha its only loss last year.
Tenaha went 13-1 last year and obliterated opponents along the way. Their 14-0 win over Joaquin to open the season was their closest affair until the state quarterfinals. The Tigers had eight shutouts and two more games where they allowed just six points.
Their average margin of victory was 49-6 — and that’s with the 31-7 loss to Bremond lumped in there. How dominant were they? Against Iola in the regional round, Tenaha allowed just 46 total yards by Iola, and the Bulldogs never crossed midfield.
Quarterback C.J. Horn and wide receiver Trai Gardner headline 10 returning starters on offense, and linebacker Tavoris “Tee” Giles is the top name on a defense that returns nine starters.
Key Losses
DL TK Gardner, K Abel Rodriguez
Gardner was named the best defensive lineman in District 11-2A DII.
Key Returners
QB C.J. Horn, WR/DB Trai Gardner, LB Tee Giles
How’s this for a huge number — 26 Tigers were all-district selections (on first or second teams) last season, and 23 of them return this fall.
Horn passed for 3,386 yards and 43 touchdowns with completions at 73 percent. Trai Gardner had 1,410 receiving yards with 21 touchdowns and Jay Lloyd had 929 receiving yards and nine touchdowns.
Giles had 150 tackles, including 16 for loss.
The Verdict
Coach Craig Horn has challenged his team to be better every week, and play the full 48 minutes each Friday night.
This team has all the right tools to make it to Jerry World and win state for the first time since the 2011 season.
Bremond starts the season with a 47-game winning streak and having won 59 of their last 60. The last team to beat them? That would be Tenaha (24-7) four years ago. History could repeat itself this year.
Brought to you by:
