By Travis Metcalf

CNHI News Service

TAHLEQUAH — Tahlequah converted on a fourth-and-20 late in the game, but a botched field goal attempt sealed its fate as Catoosa came away with a 25-24 victory on at Gable Field on the campus of Northeastern State University on Friday night. It was the Tigers’ season opener at the 5A level.

“We had several chances to lay down and our kids never did,” THS coach Tuffy Thornton said. “That last drive was as valiant an effort as we’ve had.”

Trailing 25-24 after Catoosa scored the go-ahead touchdown with 3:08 left in the game, Tahlequah’s Seth French returned the ensuing kickoff to the 40.

However, the Tigers became penalty prone as Tahlequah was hit with three false starts and with a no gain run by Michael Crawford sandwiched in the middle to force the Tigers into a second-and-25 situation.

Two plays later, it was fourth-and-20. A 35-yard pass play from Dusten Knight to Crawford gave the Tigers new life.

Tahlequah eventually got the ball down to the 13-yard line, setting up Taylor Tannehill for a possible game-winning field goal with 18.8 seconds left.

The Tigers could not get the field goal off however as a low snap and a bobbled hold forced Knight to pick it up and look for somebody in the end zone. He ended up being forced out of bounds with 13 seconds left, ending the game.

The Tigers (0-1) next play on Sept. 12 at Claremore starting at 7:30 p.m.