The Aberdeen Tigers put a stop to the Malad Dragon football winning streak and, although the loss was disappointing, the game was full of highs for the MHS team.  Traveling to Aberdeen on Friday, October 11, the Dragons fell 6-23 but still managed a scoring drive, an interception, a blocked field goal, and a crucial forced fumble and recovery.

The Tigers kicked off to begin the game, bringing a tough defense against the Dragon’s offense.  In their opening three downs, Malad was unable to make any forward progress, forcing them to punt.

Starting their drive on the Dragon 44 yard line, the Tigers made quick work moving down the field with a long pass and run up the middle.  The Malad defense turned up the heat as they neared the end zone, leaving Aberdeen with ten yards to gain on a fourth down.  The Tigers opted to put points on the scoreboard with a more sure score with a field goal rather than attempting another first down, getting up 0-3 early in the first quarter.

The second MHS drive was no more successful than their first as they struggled to make any significant gains on the next three downs.  Going four and out on downs, it was once again
Tiger possession.

Over their next six plays, Aberdeen marched down the field, covering 79 yards with two penalties dropping them back an additional 20 yards to score their first touchdown of the night.  With the successful PAT, the Tigers padded their score by eight points to put them up, 0-11.

With the timing winding down in the first quarter, the Dragons offense pushed through the Tiger line to get their first first down of the game.  Coming back in the second quarter, Malad found the magic to make a conversion on downs.

On the Dragon 41 yard line, quarterback Easton Greene faked the handoff to Brady Showell.  Showell took off down the field, turning back just as Greene sent in a short pass for the first down.  Holden Tubbs took the handoff on the following play and looked to go down just as he stepped into the neutral zone.  Suddenly, he burst through the tackle, keeping his feet for a gain of 9 yards.  Drake Morrison carried the ball on the next down, dashing through the hole made by Trevor Allen and Holden to get the first down.

Malad managed four more down before they were stopped by Aberdeen on the 35 yard line.  They attempted on a final play of the drive rather than punting, eventually turning the ball over on downs instead of punting.  

The Tigers were hopeful for another big score but were unprepared for the renewed Dragon defense that stepped on the field.  After converting on a third down, the AHS quarterback stepped back for another long pass.  With defense bringing the pressure and great coverage across the field, he threw the ball to the receiver near the 35 yard line.  Unable to make the catch, the ball popped up, sailing another 10 yards, and right into the open hands of
Zayne Thomas.  

With room to run, Thomas took off down the sideline after the Dragon interception, finally being tackled on the MHS 55.  Energized by the big play, Malad strung together 12 plays on their drive into the end zone.  Their drive included big moments like Justin Toone making the catch, barely securing the ball before being tackled and Matt Briscoe diving over the offensive line to get the first down on fourth and inches.  Showell claimed the touchdown for the Dragons, running to the end zone and catching the ball despite four defenders surrounding him.  With the score, Malad trailed 6-11.  

The Tigers tried a final drive before the end of the first half, pulling up short of the end zone with seconds to spare, Aberdeen spiked the ball to stop the clock.  Hoping to put a field goal through the uprights to extend their lead, they set up for the kick.  Timing the snap and kick just right, sophomore Toone had a little magic of his own and blocked the kick as the clock expired.

Aberdeen dominated the third quarter, holding Malad scoreless while they punched in two more touchdowns to bring the score, 6-23.  Pushing through the fourth quarter, it looked like the Tigers would add another successful drive as they worked down the field, converting on nearly every down.  Bringing the ball through the middle, the AHS back was met by Ryan Jensen and Thomas.  As they brought him down, they punched the ball out of his arms.  Seeing it bouncing on the field, Toone scooped up the fumbled ball and headed to the sideline.  Malad was unable to convert the turnover into a scoring drive, but kept Aberdeen from distancing themselves on the scoreboard any more.

Coming up short on points was disappointing, but the adaptations made throughout the game, the forced turnovers and drive stopping plays are big wins in their own right for the MHS football team.  

The Dragons will play their next scheduled game against the Declo Hornets in Declo on Friday, October 18.