On Saturday, Sept. 20, the Crimson Storm football team secured their first win of the season with an on-the-road victory against the East Central Tigers. The hard-fought matchup remained close until the final knee, showing determination and grit on both sides of the ball.
After a rough start, the Tigers jumped out with a 10-0 lead near the end of the first quarter. The Storm quickly responded–Braxton Burd reached the endzone with a 59-yard touchdown run, putting the Crimson Storm on the board. Following an intense defensive battle from both teams, each side managed to kick a field goal, sending the game into halftime with a score of 13-10.
With another long run from Kaden Barron in the second half, the Crimson Storm took their first lead of the night. From there, the Storm defense rose to the occasion and prevented the Tigers from scoring another point, securing the first win of the season with a final score of 17-13.
The victory allowed the players to reflect not only on the game itself, but on what the win could mean for the rest of the season. Quarterback Bryson Evans shared his thoughts, commenting, “The first win sets the tone with the intensity it takes to prepare and win every week. No matter the opponent, we need to attack the week with the same mindset and intensity that we had this week.”
Even with the excitement of their first win, the Crimson Storm emphasized that growth must continue throughout the remainder of the season. Outside linebacker Seth Spruiell reflected, “We’ll cherish this win while it matters, but come next week, our focus shifts to the next game.” Evans continued, “As an offense, we need to continue to improve in our efficiency and consistency. We had lots of reliance on big plays, but we need to be able to string together long drives to give the defense some rest.”
With the first win in the past, the storm looks to the future. “I get to play against several old teammates who coach for Southeastern, so this week is a special one for me. We need to attack the week once again with intentionality to continue winning,” said Evans. “We need to prepare with the mindset to win, just like any other week,” added Spruiell.
The Crimson Storm seeks to add to their winning streak in a matchup against Southeastern Oklahoma State University this Saturday. The game provides the opportunity for the Storm to carry their momentum and show consistency in their play. Knowing the challenges ahead, the storm recognizes that the preparation and execution will be important when facing an opponent like Southeastern.
Photo by: Maddy Hada