Deshler tops Hatton in region opener

The Deshler Tigers have avenged both of last season’s opening losses to Russellville and Hatton by a combined 8 points in two close contests.

The Tigers defeated the Hornets 35-28 in the Class 4A, Region 7 opener, which puts them at 2-0 instead of 0-2 like this time last year.

It was Hatton that got on the board first with a 62-yard touchdown on a screen pass, but a missed PAT left the Hornets’ lead at 6-0.

Tigers quarterback Price Thornton capped a drive with a 10-yard touchdown run with 1:22 remaining in the first quarter, and the ensuing point after by Tripp Brooks put Deshler ahead 7-6.

Hatton would regain the lead on another screen pass for a score early in the second quarter, with a conversion putting the Hornets on top 14-7.

Thornton connected with Miguel Rocha for a touchdown pass midway through the second quarter, with the Brooks PAT knotting the game at 14-14.

The Tigers would take the lead before halftime when Garrett Reid took a pass from Thornton into the end zone.

Brycen Williams ended Hatton’s next drive with an interception, but the Tigers were unable to score again before the break.

The third quarter would see no scoring change, but the Hornets looked set to tie the game again early in the fourth by capping a drive with a goal-line run for a score.

Hatton elected to attempt a conversion, but Dayton Sandford pulled the ball carrier down short of the goal line to leave Deshler ahead 21-20.

Thornton would connect with Reid again, who made a toe-tap catch in the end zone for a touchdown.

A missed point after left Deshler ahead 27-20.

Hatton would score one final touchdown, along with a 2-point conversion, to go ahead 28-27 with just 3:39 left to play.

It took the Tigers less than a minute to answer, however, as Kendrick Gunn broke a 38-yard touchdown run by making defenders miss.

This time Deshler went for two, and Thornton found Jay Murner in the end zone for the conversion and a 35-28 lead.

The Tigers defense would hold strong on Hatton’s final drive, forcing a turnover on downs with under a minute left to ice the game.

Deshler (2-0, 1-0) will continue region play by hosting Danville (1-1, 0-1) Sept. 5.

Deshler won the contest 35-0 in 2024, and the Tigers hold a 4-0 all-time record against the Hawks.