by Austin Coats, sports editor

In their second game and home opener, A&M Consolidated football played a competitive game with Foster High School until the fourth quarter. Deep pass plays ultimately became the Tigers’ achilles heel as they lost 41-21.

The game started with 3 consecutive punting drives, until Foster broke it open with a 65-yard pass. Consol had the last say in the half, though, scoring on two consecutive drives.

On the first drive, the Tigers started from their own 27. Junior Mason Hickson and senior Derrick Dick connected for an 18-yard gain, and junior Rodney Jernigan nearly had a reception deep. The points came from a hook up between Hickson and Gan on a route across the width of the field. Gan looked to be down near the 35, but he maintained his balance and finished down the sideline for a 51-yard touchdown.

Then, from their own 9, the Tigers drove down the field with a 26-yard reception from freshman Cade Williams, quality rushing gains from Tyri Merchant (including a 24-yard gain). The drive almost concluded with a pass across the middle to Dick, but he just couldn’t pull it in. Instead, Hickson ran in for six as senior Daniel Zivney followed up with a field goal and the first half ended 14-14.

Foster had a nice driving going at the start of the second half, but junior T.J. Raniszeski gave possession back to Consol with an interception leading to a scoring drive. Two rushes for 40 yards from Hickson set up a 20-yard touchdown reception to Cade Williams.

Foster answered with two deep touchdowns receptions from wide receiver Evan Fairs, and a field goal taking the lead 38-21. Consol was unable to add anything else, and Foster tacked on one last field goal as the game ended 41-21.

Next Saturday, Tiger football will travel to Fort Bend Elkins.