Tigers, 0-10 a year ago, start this season 2-0

MALAKOFF — The Malakoff Tigers have started a new streak.

After winning last week for the first time in two years, the Tigers made it back-to-back victories by dumping Winona, 18-12, Friday night. The last time Malakoff won two in a row was 2006.

The Tigers are undefeated at 2-0, while Winona dropped to 1-1 with the loss.

The most important statistic contributing to Malakoff’s win was 4-to-1 … the Tigers forced Winona into coughing up the ball four times while committing just one turnover themselves.

On such a night it was fitting that what would become the winning touchdown was scored on defense.

On the final play of the second quarter, Winona quarterback Joey Dykes dropped back and threw deep for Jacob Wheeler down the left sideline; but Malakoff’s Cornelius Richardson stepped in and intercepted the pass at the Malakoff 19, and weaved his way 81 yards to the end zone for an 18-6 halftime lead for the Tigers.

Just 23 seconds before, Malakoff had taken the lead on a 1-yard quarterback sneak by Allen Carroll. That play capped an eight-play, 59-yard drive for the Tigers.

More Wildcat turnovers in the second half helped Malakoff, with the Tigers ending two Winona drives with fumble recoveries by Josh Crockett and Marquise Dowell.

When Winona was finally able to hold on to the ball enough to find the end zone in the fourth quarter on a Trent Hodge 1-yard run, it was too late. Malakoff was able to run the clock out on its next possession.

Malakoff’s first score was also helped by a turnover, with Colt Murdoch jumping on a Dykes fumble on the Wildcats opening drive.

The Tigers took over on their own 43, and after a 16-yard run by Jackson Blacketer and a 32-yard hook up between Carroll and Vanoid Dawson, Blacketer scored on a 4-yard plunge.

Blacketer led the Tigers in rushing on the evening with 53 yards on 11 carries.

Carroll went 8-of-15 passing for the night for 104 yards with one interception. Dawson was his favorite target, catching four passes for 79 yards.

Winona tied the score late in the second quarter on a Hodge 8-yard run.

Hodge finished the game with a game-high 85 yards on 21 carries for the Wildcats.

TIGERS 18, WILDCATS 12

WHS MHS

First Downs 17 14

Rushing Yards 231 101

Passing Yards 22 104

Total Yards 253 205

Passes Attempted 5 15

Passes Completed 2 8

Interceptions 1 1

Fumbles/Lost 3/3 0/0

Penalties 4/45 5/35

Punts 1/34.0 1/39.0

Score By Quarters

Winona 0 6 0 6 — 12

Malakoff 6 12 0 0 —18

Scoring Summary

MHS — Jackson Blacketer 1 run (kick fails)

WHS — Trent Hodge 8 run (run fails)

MHS — Allen Carroll 1 run (kick fails)

MHS — Cornelius Richardson 89 interception return for TD (pass fails)

WHS — Hodge 1 run (kick fails)

The Tigers will look to extend their winning streak to three next week against Tyler Grace on the road. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.