The trip to rival Polk Central was short so the Tryon football team dressed at home and rode the activity bus to the game. Once there, the bus parked behind the visitor's bleachers (on the baseball diamond) and would serve as the locker room. There was absolutely no talking. Tension and adrenalin was high, as evidenced by the numerous trips behind the bus for relief. While we were waiting for game time, Coach Neal did something that surprised us. He asked if anybody new any good jokes! This from a man who all but kicked a player off the team for talking before a game several years ago. But Coach Neal was concerned, as often happens, that a team that is really up for a game, might have a let down once the game started.
But it was unnecessary worry as the Tigers took home the county championship for the first time since 1967, 22-6, in a game that wasn't as close as the score. As teams started concentrating on Warrington, other backs started having good games (Dempsey, Leonard, Mize). The offense and defense continued to improve and the game was a very sweet win against our chief rival.
From accounts of the game:
- Tryon has moved in racehorse fashion from nowhere to fourth in the last three weeks.
- The play of the entire Tryon line was outstanding as they contained the Rebel backs.
- Ken Warrington was the workhorse as usual as he ground out 140 yards in 20 carries to average 7 yards per carry.
- Mike Leonard's blocking helped Warrington turn the ends.
The Tigers travel to East Henderson next week in their last conference game.
I'll Be There by the Jackson Five made it to top of the charts.
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