CYPRESS – In a clash between the last two Class 1A Division II State Champions on Friday night, the Falls City Beavers faced off against the Tenaha Tigers in the State Semifinals. Utilizing their offense, the Tigers defeated the Beavers by the score of 42-14 to end Falls City’s season.

“It was a very successful season,” said Falls City head coach Steve Marbach. “The group of twelve seniors did a great job showing leadership on and off the field.”

After a scoreless first quarter, the Tigers got on the board first with 7:46 left in the second quarter on a 92-yard pass from Jr. Hill to Keontas Davis. Javier Uribe’s kick put the score at 7-0. Uribe was a perfect 7-for-7 on extra point attempts in the game. The Tigers extended their lead just before halftime, at the 1:52 mark, on an 82-yard run by Cobe Carraway to put the score at 14-0.

Tenaha’s lone score of the third quarter came with 8:52 on the clock as Hill connected with Chavis Gregory on a 41-yard passing score. The Beavers got on the scoreboard with 3:51 to go in the third quarter on a 3-yeard run by Jon Swierc, with Cody Jendrusch kicking the PAT to cut Tenaha’s lead to 21-7 heading into the fourth quarter.

Unfortunately for Falls City, Tenaha pulled away in the fourth quarter. With 9:17 on the clock, Gregory scored on a 6-yard run. The Beavers countered with 8:40 to go on a 1-yard run by Cameron Soto, followed by Jendrusch’s PAT. Tenaha followed that up at the 6:30 mark with a 36-yard rushing touchdown by Carraway. The Tigers’ final score of the contest came with 3:53 to go on an 8-yard run by Gregory to put the final tally at 42-14.

Statistically, the Beavers gained 280 yards of total offense, with 109 yards rushing over 32 carries and 171 yards passing over 15 completions. The Tigers, by comparison, gained 471 yards of total offense, with 285 yards rushing over 42 carries and 186 yards passing over six completions. In terms of penalties, the Beavers were flagged three times for 20 total yards and the Tigers committed six penalties for 30 total yards.

“Those guys are amazing, and they’re scattered all over the field,” said Marbach about the Falls City senior class. “They were a huge part of the success of the team.”

With the loss, the Beavers finished their 2012 football season at 11-3 overall. “I believe the football season sets the tone for the rest of the school year,” said Marbach.