SMITHVILLE — The Smithville High School varsity football team put up a resilient effort last Friday as the Tigers were edged 45-33 at home against Gonzales High School.
For the second straight week, the Tigers faced a 20-point deficit and were able to come back and take the lead. The previous week they did it at Giddings and won a 35-34 thriller over the Buffaloes on the road but at home, the visiting Apaches got the best of Smithville.
Down 13-0 early in the second quarter, Smithville junior quarterback Ramonz Adams completed a 25-yard pass to senior wide receiver Ryan Hippler to get the Tigers into scoring position and then Adams completed the drive with a three-yard rushing touchdown to get the deficit to 13-7.
With Smithville down 27-7 late in the first half, head coach Cyril Adkins went with a trick play as senior Wyatt Gigout threw a 24-yard touchdown pass to Adams as the Tigers got to within 27-13 before halftime.
Throughout the third quarter and early into the fourth quarter, the Tigers continued their rally with more points as Adams scored an 11-yard touchdown run and senior running back Noah Baxter scored on the ground from three yards out. Adams then stepped up again as he stripped a Gonzales player of the ball on defense, returned it deep into Apaches’ territory and then scored on a one-yard touchdown run to give Smithville a 33-27 lead early in the fourth quarter.
Gonzales would take the lead right back on a 60yard touchdown run, add a field goal and then score on a fumble returned for a score to ice the game ultimately.
The Tigers (2-6 overall, 1-2 in district) travel to take on Cuero High School this Friday night.