When you compare two records such as 5-0 and 0-5 you would automatically bet the bank on the undefeated team, but when the Spring Woods Tigers hit the field Friday night against the undefeated Nimitz Cougars they proved you must always bring your “A” game.

The Tigers gave their Homecoming crowd a reason to cheer from their very first play, but fell behind in the second half of a 32-21 loss that kept Nimitz undefeated (6-0 overall, 3-0 District 19-5A).

Only 20 seconds into the game, Tiger quarterback Sammy Bissett connected with Tramarcus Williams for an 81-yard touchdown pass. Spring Woods’ defense stepped up and shut down the Cougars the remainder of the first quarter.

Spring Woods' offense once again left everything on the field in the second quarter as they were faced with a fourth-and-nine on the 30 yard-line. Instead of going for the first down the Tigers aimed for the goal line, and Bissett hit Greg Burks down the sideline for another touchdown.

The Cougars were determined not to end the half with a zero on the board as they moved the chains and quarterback, Zerick Rollins found his rhythm with Kelvin Chatham and Marion Grice to place their team on the 1-yard line. Rollins finished the drive with a quarterback keep and the 1-yard touchdown to run the clock down to less than three minutes.

That was all the Tigers needed to give themselves a 14-point cushion going into the locker room. They covered 59 yards in 9 plays and after a 29-pass play to Jimmy Heckard, Williams powered his way into the end zone from 2 yards out.

“The kids on the team realized that we were playing very flat and not very mentally prepared,” Nimitz head coach David Suggs said. “Somehow we managed to get things together and come out and play a better second half.”

The Cougars and Grice immediately started making up ground and closed the 14-point deficit. Quarterback Michael Thomas pitched to Grice and Grice left the Tigers in his dust as he ran in a 60-yard touchdown. Not giving Spring Woods any breathing room the Nimitz defense pressed the offense and defensive back, Eric Brown returned a 50 yard reception for the Cougars to come within 2 after a failed two–point conversion to close the third quarter.

Nimitz crept within striking distance at the end of the third quarter and was ready to make its move as the fourth was underway. Grice and Thomas teamed up to gain consecutive first downs. Grice gave his team their first lead, after a 16-yard touchdown run midway through the fourth.

He sealed the win with a 39-yard run. 32-21 final for Nimitz.

Grice rushed for a game-high 231 yards and three touchdowns on 16 carries.

Bissett passed for 219 yards for 11 completions and two touchdowns.

Williams finished with 108 receiving yards, 60 rushing yards with two touchdowns.

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