The Thrall Tigers varsity football team will look for its first win of the season when it hosts the Eastside Early College Panthers on Friday, Sept. 12, at 7 p.m.
The Tigers are coming off a 49-14 loss to Rosebud-Lott, while the Panthers defeated Liberal Arts and Science Academy 48-0. Thrall has managed just 17 points through its first two games and will aim to find momentum offensively behind junior quarterback Weston Smiley and senior running back Christopher Kelm.
Defensively, the Tigers will look to make major improvements after allowing 40 points per game to open the season. Eastside, which has scored 80 points across its first two contests, presents another difficult challenge. The Panthers are led by junior running back Khrisshawn Bryant, who averages 145 rushing yards per game. Key factors for Thrall will include establishing the run game, slowing down Eastside’s ground attack, and Smiley’s ability to progress in the passing game as he continues to grow into the quarterback role.
Last year, the Tigers cruised past the Panthers 56-0, but this year’s matchup could prove more difficult with Eastside posing a bigger threat on both sides of the ball.
