Tigers ground Hawks for 2nd region win

The first two Deshler games of the 2025 season were decided by 7 points or less and came down to the wire.

Last week against Danville, however, the Tigers had the second team playing by the second quarter.

Deshler picked up its second region win of the year with a 58-7 blowout win over the Hawks.

The victory puts the Tigers at 3-0 overall and 2-0 in Class 4A, Region 7 play.

“We talked about those close games this week,” Deshler head coach Patrick Malone said. “Being just good enough is not the standard for our program. Here we chase excellence, and I’m proud of the way our guys played tonight.”

Armani McClendon nearly got the Tigers on the board early in the game, but his touchdown was erased due to a holding penalty.

That drive ended up being capped when Price Thornton connected with Kendrick Gunn for a 7-yard touchdown pass. Tripp Brooks sailed the point after through the uprights, and Deshler led 7-0.

That lead would extend to 13-0 midway through the opening quarter when Thornton threw to Cam Fuller, who ran down the sideline for a score.

Thornton would connect with Brady McKinney on a 37-yard catch and score to make it 20-0 Tigers.

Gunn would hand 6 more points for Deshler on a 55-yard touchdown run before the end of the opening frame.

Another touchdown pass, this time from 18 yards out to Garrett Reid, made it 34-0 Deshler.

Danville was unable to get anything going on offense on the ensuing drive and was forced to punt again.

McKinney fielded the punt and weaved his way downfield 63 yards for a score.

McClendon found the end zone from 16 yards out midway through the second quarter, and this time, the score counted.

The Tigers led 48-0 before getting ample playing time for some of the younger team members.

“I’m proud of our older guys for leading the way for our younger guys,” Malone said. “They try to show them how to do things the right way.”

The Tigers would add 10 more points to their tally, and the Hawks would manage one touchdown by the end of regulation.

Deshler will continue region play with a road game against Wilson (1-2, 1-1) on Sept. 12.

The Tigers won last year’s contest 60-0 and hold a 27-6 all-time record in the series.