Crandall’s home opener brings a dangerous Terrell rushing attack to Pirate Stadium following two dramatically different performances by the Tigers.
The Crandall Pirates will play their first home game of the season Friday when the Terrell Tigers visit Pirate Stadium for a 7 p.m. non-district matchup.
Terrell arrives with a 1–1 record after opening the season with a 49–41 victory over Arlington Seguin, and suffering a 55–27 loss to Argyle. The Tigers have scored 76 points through two games, but they have also surrendered 96.
Those results illustrate both sides of Terrell’s early-season identity. The Tigers possess one of the area’s deepest rushing attacks, but their defense has struggled to slow two talented opponents.
Tigers Run Past Seguin
Terrell opened its season with an immediate demonstration of its speed.
LaKevin O’Bryant returned the opening kickoff 90 yards for a touchdown, providing the first highlight in a back-and-forth game at Arlington Seguin.
Terrell’s ground game eventually became the deciding factor. Antwian Thomas rushed for 196 yards, while Julian Ashley added 95. The Tigers accumulated 350 rushing yards as a team.
Quarterback Nolan Hall also delivered a critical play through the air. His fourth-down touchdown pass to Tyson Hooper gave Terrell a 28–21 advantage in the third quarter.
Seguin continued answering. A touchdown pass reduced Terrell’s lead to 34–33 in the fourth quarter, but Thomas broke a 57-yard run that moved the Tigers to the Seguin 5-yard line. The impressive dash helped Terrell close out the 49–41 victory.
The win extended the momentum generated by Terrell’s 12–1 campaign in 2025, when the Tigers reached the Class 5A Division II regional semifinals.
Argyle Pulls Away
Terrell returned home Sept. 4 and initially appeared ready to produce another major victory.
The Tigers led Argyle 14–7 after the first quarter. Argyle, however, scored 13 unanswered points in the second quarter and carried a 20–14 advantage into halftime.
The game changed decisively after the break. Argyle scored 21 points in the third quarter and 14 more in the fourth, outscoring Terrell 48–13 after the Tigers’ early 14–7 lead.
Argyle finished with 610 offensive yards, including 369 passing and 241 rushing. The Eagles recorded 27 first downs and defeated Terrell 55–27.
The loss knocked Terrell out of the Class 5A Division II state rankings after the Tigers entered the week ranked No. 7.
Four Productive Running Backs
Terrell has accumulated 728 rushing yards through two games—an average of 364 per contest.
Thomas leads the Tigers with 277 yards and two touchdowns on 34 carries. Ashley has added 195 yards and a team-leading three touchdowns on 24 attempts.
Fullback Lebron Tucker has carried 28 times for 137 yards and two touchdowns. Oscar Soto has been the most efficient of the group, gaining 111 yards and scoring twice on only 12 attempts.
Together, Thomas, Ashley, Tucker and Soto have produced 720 rushing yards and nine touchdowns.
Hall has completed 4 of 7 passes for 62 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions in the Dallas Morning News season totals. Hooper is listed with two receptions for 42 yards and a touchdown.
The numbers make Terrell’s intentions clear. The Tigers want to establish the running game, create explosive plays and force opponents to commit additional defenders near the line of scrimmage.
A Rematch at Pirate Stadium
Friday will be the second consecutive meeting between the programs at Pirate Stadium.
Terrell defeated Crandall 63–13 last season, when the schools competed together in District 6-5A Division II. The Tigers have since remained in Division II, while Crandall moved into District 7-5A Division I.
Crandall enters the contest 0–2 after road losses to Denton Braswell and Rowlett. The Pirates will be trying to earn their first victory under the Pirate Stadium lights while reversing the result of last year’s meeting.
Terrell will attempt to rebound from the Argyle loss before opening district competition against Texarkana Texas High on Sept. 18.
Coming Wednesday: Shop in Seagoville will examine the Terrell and Crandall defenses, including each unit’s early-season performance and the challenge of stopping two very different offenses.
