(FREE) Tuttle Locks Down Plainview, 21-13
In this article:
Get 25% off your subscription by entering Knight25 in the coupon code area. Enjoy!
It’s only week one, but the Tuttle Tigers’ ferocious defense already looks to be in midseason form. For the entire first half, they kept Plainview’s offense in neutral. It wasn’t till the second half kickoff return that the Indians broke into Tiger territory. And even when Plainview scored their second touchdown of the third quarter, the Tigers broke through and blocked the point after attempt, preventing the game from being tied. For the final frame, Tuttle returned to form and kept the Indians on lock. With 8:21 left in the game, sophomore Major Sharp recorded an interception to end one Plainview drive. Then a few minutes later, the Tigers’ defense lead by senior lineman Parrish Terry sent Plainview in reverse and forced a punt. From that point forward, a couple first downs courtesy the hard running Canon West sealed then Week 1 victory.
Offensively, it was a steady performance that won the game for Tuttle. With new signal caller junior Mason Dennis at the helm, the Tigers leaned on their running game to keep them in manageable third downs. Which allowed them to string together long drives throughout the game. The capper for all those drives? The aforementioned West, who showed a nose for the endzone and found the holes the offensive line opened up for three short yardage touchdowns. Along with West, junior Tyler Woodson Tyler Woodson 5'10" | 165 lbs | RB Tuttle | 2023 State OK kept the chains moving throughout the night for the Tigers. Tuttle has an interesting group of taller WRs, which caused match up problems for the smaller Indians. Twice in the second quarter, the Tigers’ group of physical receivers were able to draw penalties, setting up the first and goal situations that led to the touchdowns from West.
When Plainview was able to move the ball, it was thanks to big plays. Sadly for the Indians, two of their biggest plays were negated by penalties. In the second quarter, senior running back Blue Norman broke into the clear for what looked to be a long touchdown. It was called back for holding. And even that kickoff return to open the second half, Norman found the end zone. But a late block on the back call once again erased his touchdown. Still the big kickoff return set Planview up with great field position. And fellow senior Jeston Gilliam caught a short touchdown from senior quarterback Reis Taylor Reis Taylor 6'0" | 210 lbs | ATH Plainview | 2022 State OK . After being bottled up all game, Taylor was able to shake loose for a pair of long runs in the third quarter. Including a 33 yard run.
With the exception of a handful blemishes in the third quarter, it was the Tiger defense that was the star of the show. They often looked more like Wolves when swarming ball carries on runs. But they also stayed true to the solitary nature of Tigers with outstanding one on one tackling in space. Tuttle should once again be among the 4A contenders, and if this early season performance was any indication, it will start on the defensive side of the ball.
Planview (0-2) 0 0 13 0 13
Tuttle (2-0) 0 14 0 7 21
TURNING POINT
With 9:25 remaining West’s third touchdown of the night had given Tuttle breathing room with a 21-13 lead. After having their vaunted defense troubled by Taylor’s speed on zone reads the past drive, Parrish Terry set the tone on the very first play . He knifed into the backfield blowing it up for a loss and getting the Indians off scheduled. Following the senior’s lead, sophomores Blake Stewart and Mark Douglass were able to contain a scrambling Taylor on second down, forcing another loss. Taylor was forced to go to the air on 3rd and long, which is when sophomore Major Sharp struck with the interception. From that point forward, it was clear the Tuttle’s defense was back on point.
PLAYER OF THE GAME
Parrish Terry, 2022 Offensive/Defensive Lineman, Tuttle
The big man made impact play after impact play in the run game. He lived in the backfield, routinely meeting the ball carrier only shortly after the handoff was made. The beauty of small school football? He was also the tonesetter on the offensive line at left tackle for the Tigers. Tuttle has an interesting group of younger skill players, but it’s hard to not feel like it all starts up front with Terry and his other big men in the trenches.
WHAT’S NEXT
Plainview: vs Cache, September 10th
It doesn’t get any easier for the Class 3A Indians, as they again will battle another Class 4A school. This time they will host Cache, who they lost 20-0 last year. Already at 0-2 (following a Week Zero loss, to Pilot Point, TX), Plainview will take heart of their improved second half performance and hope to get back into the win column.
Tuttle: vs Newcastle, September 10th
The Tigers will look to win their third straight game of the season against nearby Newcastle. Last season Tuttle narrowly escaped a visit to Newcastle with a 24-21 victory.