Bay City Tribune

Tidehaven's football team finds itself in a must-win situation in Friday's District 29-2A football game against Hitchcock at Tiger Taska Stadium.

The Tigers, who are 0-2 in league play, are coming off a 48-18 loss to Boling last week. The Bulldogs from Wharton County improved to 2-0. They'll play 2-0 Industrial in Vanderbilt this Friday.

"I feel like we can bounce back," said Tidehaven coach Jim Sides.

Hitchcock beat winless Danbury 30-12 to also improve to 2-0, beating Van Vleck to start the season.

"We have played better defense lately and haven't had any penalties or turnovers," said long-time Hitchcock coach Gary Carney. "We played some tough people earlier with 40-50 people on the varsity."

The Bulldogs from Galveston County are ranked 109th on huddleuptexas.com. Tidehaven is ranked 113th and a 3-point favorite.

Hitchcock, who is 2-5 on the season, has been outscored 184-129, is averaging 356 yards per game and the defense is yielding 421 yards per game.

Hitchcock who won last year's game 49-34, has a lot of speed and quickness like Boling.

"They (Hitchcock) is very talented," said Sides. "They are probably a little quicker and faster than Boling."

Senior running back Darius Dotson has scored two touchdowns and rushed for 430 yards but the game evolves around senior quarterback Morris Tuck.

"We have to keep Dotson contained so he doesn't get loose on us," said Sides.

Tuck has completed 80 of 139 passes for 1,168 yards,which leads the district. He has 17 touchdown passes and only three interceptions.

"He's a good athlete and throws well," said Sides

Scotty Williams caught 16 passes for 333 yards and has four touchdowns. Dotson has caught 15 passes for 180 yards, DeWayne Barnes has caught 13 passes for 191 yards and Devante Provost has caught 10 passes for 229 yards.

Sides said Friday's game will come down to execution.

"It's going to take an entire team effort to get the job done Friday night," said Sides.

Tidehaven, 2-5 on the season, has been outscored 173-133, and is averaging 281 yards per game. The defense is giving up 275 yards per game.

Sides prefers playing at home than on Hitchcock's stadium field turf.