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After spotting Second Baptist leads of 7-0 and 15-7, the Sealy Tigers rang up 27 unanswered points on their way to a season-opening 34-21 victory on Friday at Tiger Stadium.

"We started a little slow, but we saw some good things," Sealy's second-year head coach Jimmie Mitchell said. "It was a typical first game in many ways, but we're looking to peak at the right time, and a win is a win, and it's always good, and this one is something we can definitely build on.

"Mark my word, we're going to get better."

TAPPS member Second Baptist took the opening kickoff and marched 79 yards in 11 plays while going three-for-three on third down conversions. Conner Wood, the Eagles' junior quarterback, had a 39-yard run on a third-and-18 situation, and later capped the drive on a 17-yard scoring sprint.

Sealy's first possession of the season ended with a Victor Luna punt, but on the return, Luke McDonald's hit caused a Second Baptist fumble, and Mr. Everything, aka Orie King, recovered the loose ball.

On the very next play, King hauled in a 35-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Jeffrey Krenek on a post pattern run to perfection that tied the score at 7-7.

Second Baptist immediately answered with Wood scampering for a 76-yard touchdown run on, you guessed it, third-and-21.

A two-point conversion run by Will Hale gave the visitors a 15-7 advantage as the opening period came to a close.

Not to be outdone, the Tigers drove 80 yards in nine plays with Krenek scoring on a 1-yard plunge with 8 minutes, 54 second left before halftime.

Running back Dexter Downey, playing on an ankle that's still bothering him, did most of the damage on that journey rushing for 54 of the yards on jaunts of 17, 13 and 24.

A failed two-point conversion run kept Second Baptist ahead 15-13, but it wouldn't last long as Sealy's defense continued to adjust to Wood's passing and scrambling.

A three-and-out series set Sealy up at Second Baptist's 48-yard line, but a missed field goal stymied the Tigers' chance to take the lead.

Another three-and-out by the Eagles gave Sealy one more chance in the first half, and Krenek found Gabe Hamner on a 27-yard pass-and-catch, and on the very next play, Krenek escaped a sack, reversed field, and hooked up with Downey for a 21-yard touchdown reception with only 14 seconds showing.

A two-point pass from Krenek to Chase Terry put the Tigers up 21-15 at intermission, and it was a lead they wouldn't surrender.

Another Second Baptist fumble on a third-quarter punt return, this one recovered by Nick Acosta, set Sealy up at the Eagles' 45-yard line, and on the next snap, Krenek read the defense and took off on a 45-yard touchdown run to increase the margin to 27-15.

With Second Baptist's offense going nowhere, the Tigers piled it on with a six-play, 69-yard drive with Krenek scoring from the four.

Downey's 30-yard run and a 15-yard face mask flag on the Eagles was the key play on Sealy's final touchdown drive that ended with 2:47 remaining in the third period.

Krenek had a hand in all five of Sealy's touchdowns rushing for three and throwing for two. He was nine-of-16 passing for 123 yards and added 63 ground yards on seven attempts.

"Krenek really stood out," Mitchell said. "He made some very good decisions."

Downey, despite the tweaked ankle, finished with 131 yards on 17 tries.

"Those numbers show what a good job our offensive line did," Mitchell said. "Most of the time, those guys get overlooked, but not by their teammates and coaches."

Sealy's offense front features center Cory Einkauf, guards Bryan Solis and Michael Brooks, and tackles Justin Kohler and John Sutherland.

Second Baptist closed the scoring on a 35-yard pass from Woods to John Doughtie with just over five minutes to play.

Other Sealy highlights included James Koy's 1.5 sacks, another sack by Andre Downey, and a half sack and blocked extra point from Cass Mitchell.

"We could have played better, and we know we have a lot of things to work on, but after falling behind in the first quarter, we came together as a team," said King, who like many players was hampered with leg cramps during the near three-hour contest on a hot night.

"Second Baptist came out in some big splits that were somewhat unorthodox, and it took us a little while to adjust," Mitchell said. "They kept converting those third-and-longs, but then we got it going and got serious, and you could see the potential.

"We've got a long way to go, but the team you saw in the second and third periods, on both sides of the ball, is the way we're capable of playing."

The Tigers (1-0) host Hempstead (0-1) next week (Friday, Sept. 5 at 7:30 p.m.) in the second of a season-opening three-game home stand.

Brookshire Royal smashed visiting Hempstead 35-6 on Friday.

Area Briefs

Bellville and Brazos opened the season with victories on Friday with Bellville thumping visiting Caldwell 44-14 and Brazos winning 40-35 at Tidehaven.

Bellville was led by Garrett Nunn's 178 rushing yards on 17 carries and four touchdowns. Nunn scored on runs of 9, 3, 76 and 11 yards.

The Brahmas are home again on Friday (Sept. 5 at 7:30 p.m.) when they welcome Livingston, which was open last week.

Brazos held on for its five-point triumph behind Alex Green's 154 rushing yards on 24 tries and three touchdowns (5, 4, 10).

Caleb Little added two rushing touchdowns (4, 1) and threw a 14-yard scoring strike to Kinsey Trevor.

The Cougars host Shiner in their home opener on Friday (Sept. 5 at 7:30 p.m.).

Bellville Faith Academy, which fell 48-0 at Bryan Brazos Valley Christian on Friday, is open on Sept. 5 before visiting Tomball Rosehill on Sept. 12 at 5 p.m.

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