by Alex Coopersmith, opinions editor

On the tenth day of the tenth month of the year, A&M Consolidated aimed for their tenth straight victory in the Crosstown Showdown. However, a late comeback wasn’t in the books, and the Tigers lost 44-56 in a game contested until the last minute.

Bryan jumped out to an early lead, and continued to tack on points the entire game. In the first quarter, Bryan scored 14 points, and limited the Tigers to only four plays.

The Tigers were able to score twice in the second quarter, but unable to stop the Viking offense and their running back KeeKee Johnson. At halftime, the Tigers were down 13-35.

However, at the start of the second half, the Tigers seemed to awaken from their first-quarter slumber. Two straight touchdown runs by Tyri Merchant and a two-point conversion by Derrick Dick closed the gap to 27-35. Then, the magic of the Friday night lights took over. The Vikings needed only two plays to score and make it 27-42, but the Tigers needed only one play, a 61-yard run by Tyri Merchant, to take back their lost ground and tighten the game to 34-42. The Tigers then closed out the third quarter with a 33-yard field goal by Daniel Zivney to put them within five points of Bryan, at 37-42.

With a close game going into the fourth quarter, the fans of both teams went crazy. Ultimately, the Tigers were unable to stop the Vikings from running the ball effectively, and quarterback Mason Hickson threw and interception at third and goal at the Viking two-yard line that sealed the game.

Consol ended their nine-game Crosstown Showdown winning streak, but the team at least made the game exciting until the final minute.

Next week, the football team will try to improve its district record to 3-1 at Caney Creek.