The Little Giants kicked off their season under the Friday night lights, but despite a promising start, they fell to the Tiffin Columbian Tornadoes 27-11. The game began with both teams struggling to find their offensive rhythm, as defenses dominated the first quarter.
The Little Giants were the first to break the stalemate when Bryce Estep nailed a 36-yard field goal, putting them ahead 3-0. The score held through the end of the first quarter, giving the home crowd hope for a strong opening night performance.
However, the Tornadoes began to find their stride in the second quarter. A well-executed passing play saw Tiffin Columbian find the end zone, giving them a 6-3 lead after a missed extra point. The Little Giants, unfazed, responded by leaning on their running game. Seniors Elijah Ysaguirre and Zalen Harris provided a spark, moving the chains and controlling the clock. Their efforts were rewarded with a four yard TD run, reclaiming the lead for the Little Giants.
A critical moment came late in the first half when the Little Giants’ defense forced a safety on an intentional grounding call against Tiffin Columbian, extending their lead to 11-6 as the teams headed to the locker rooms.
Despite the momentum, the second half proved challenging for the Little Giants. Tiffin Columbian’s defense tightened up, stifling the Little Giants’ running game that had shown so much promise in the first half. The Tornadoes’ offense, meanwhile, found its groove, scoring two unanswered touchdowns in the third quarter to take control of the game.
The Little Giants struggled to respond, and Tiffin Columbian added another touchdown in the fourth quarter to seal the victory.
The season opener was a tough loss for the Little Giants, who will need to regroup quickly as they prepare for next week’s matchup. Coach Long will likely focus on building on the flashes of promise shown by the running game while addressing the breakdowns that allowed the Tornadoes to pull away in the second half.