Senior Quincel Wilson (10) gets into position to protect his quarterback T.J. Lassiter, during the Indians' season opening loss to Riverview Friday night at Searcy. (Tribune photo/Dan Brawner)

The Marked Tree Indians opened the new season in Searcy last Friday with a new opponent, a lot of new faces and a relatively new outcome. Riverview (3A) was the new opponent, playing their first varsity football game in history. The new faces were there due the graduation of eight starters from last season's team. The relatively new outcome was the 35-32 season loss to the Raiders as the Indians have not experienced an opening defeat since losing to EPC 28-0 in the opening game of 2004.

The Indians also faced an obstacle they have rarely seen, a no-huddle offense. That plus the humid conditions made for a night when leg cramps were the norm.

"Inexperience in a few positions got us and I didn't think we were as physical as we needed to be." said coach Tim Branum afterward. "The no huddle offense they ran didn't make that much difference because they used their whole clock time. One of the biggest places they got us, though, was their playing 25 or 26 kids to our 13 or 14."

By the end of the game, clearly the lack of numbers would make a difference for the Indians.

In the beginning of the game, though, it looked as if Marked Tree might have a relatively easy time of it as they took the ball on their 23 and took only six plays to march to the Raider 25. Unfortunately, the Indians mishandled the ball, turning it over to Riverview at the 30.

Senior tailback Michael Gray finishes off a seven yard TD run at the end of the first half Friday night as quarterback T.J. Lassiter (5) cheers his effort. The score tied the game against the Raiders. (Tribune photo/Dan Brawner)

Immediately, the new team showed they were going to be a force to contend with as they proceeded to drive for their first TD in history, going 70 yards in nine plays, scoring on a 16 yard pass. With the PAT successful, the Raiders had a 7-0 lead with 5:06 left in the first quarter.

Not to be out done, the Indians came back with sophomore quarterback T.J. Lassiter hitting into the line for two quick nine yard gains, giving Marked Tree a first down at their 45. Seven plays later, with runs from senior speedster Michael Gray and Quincel Wilson the Indians found themselves at the Riverview 33 with a second and 13.

Lassiter, who would finish 9 for 18 with 235 yards through the air, found Gray, who raced the distance for the score. Junior tight end Richie Tate kicked the extra point to bring the Tribe even with the Raiders 7-all.

"We've had different types of quarterbacks in the past three years," continued Branum. "Loren (Ghant) and William (Ruthven) were running quarterbacks and they did great jobs doing what they do well. But, T.J. is a drop back quarterback and gives us a little different dimension than we've had. He's got a good arm, sets in the pocket and throws a pretty ball."

Unfortunately, Riverview wasted no time responding as they returned the kickoff to their 41 then needed only five plays and 1:05 to go back up 14-7 at the 9:48 mark of the second quarter.

Kimias Coleman (77), Zac Eldridge (70) and Richie Tate (28) open a hole during the Marked Tree-Riverview game at Searcy Friday night. (Tribune photo/Dan Brawner)

After the ensuing kickoff, the Indians could only get five yards in three plays and punted from their 35 to the Raider 37.

On the first play Riverview hit a 28 yard pass down the left sideline to the Indians 35. A 13 yard run got the Raiders to the 22, but at this point, the Marked Tree defense began to stiffen.

Looking at fourth and six at the Tribe 17, Riverview went for it, but sophomore safety Carlos Matos broke up the possible touchdown giving the Indians another shot at tying the game. They made the most of the situation.

With just over four minutes left the visitors had their longest drive of the night going 13 plays in 3:58 to tie the game. One razzle-dazzle play which brought the Marked Tree faithful to their feet was a double reverse, Lassiter to Gray to Francisco Matos, Matos gaining 17 yards to the Riverview 45. Gray made his second TD of the night with a seven yard run for the score. Tate kicked the game even the half coming seconds later.

The second half began well for the Indians as after kicking off to the Raiders, recovered a fumble on the first play fro scrimmage at the Riverview 36. Unfortunately, Gray, who would have only four carries in the second half due to leg cramps, made only two yards in the four-play drive. Gray, a three sport player for the Indians, then punted to the Raiders four yard line.

Riverview responded with a four-play drive of their own, but with a far different outcome as for first 20, then 22 yards on running plays before throwing an incomplete pass. Then with second and 10 at their 45 they broke a run for 55 yards down the left sideline for the lead 21-14 after the PAT.

In similar fashion, the Indians hit Carlos Matos for 10 yards to the Indians 38 on their first play of the next drive. Then after an incomplete pass, Tate used his 6-4 height to take the ball from two defenders, then outraced the rest of the team for the 62 yard score with 8:23 left in the third. Unfortunately there was a bad snap on the PAT leaving the Tribe one point back at 21-20.

With Gray and others experiencing further cramps, Riverview took advantage of the situation and closed out the quarter with two additional scores, a 32 yard pass at the 6:26 mark and a one-yard sneak with 4:07 left to outdistance the Indians 35-20. The only real bright spot of those final few minutes of the quarter was an interception by Wilson at the Indian 22 to thwart a third Raider TD threat.

That steal seemed to inspire the Indians, because they immediately drove 78 yards in eight plays, Lassiter getting the final seven yards when he powered over the goal. Senior Chris Williams ran in the two-point conversion to cut the lead to nine, 35-26 with 10:14 remaining in the game.

Knowing they had to stop the Raiders if they were to have a chance at victory, the Indians forced a punt with 7:15 remaining.

Starting at their 15 they took just eight plays to gain their fifth TD of the night, Gray back in the game long enough to run the last two plays, eight yards then six yards for the score. The two point pass attempt from Lassiter to Williams was no good and with 3:52 remaining, the Indians had pulled to within three 35-32.

The Indians tried an onside kick after the score and it very nearly worked to perfection as Tate kicked it the required 10 yards, an Indian touched it first, but it bounced off of the player's chest and into the hands of the Raiders. They proceeded to run out the clock ending the first game of the season for each team.

"We played well in spots, but gave up too many big plays." said Branum in conclusion. "Offensively I thought we played pretty well. We threw the ball well, protected the quarterback, ran it pretty well. Our offensive linemen for the most part did a good job. It hurt when we got behind on the extra point deal. And it also hurt us that Michael wasn't in there because I feel like we would have made it if he had been. Without him we don't have much inside pop.But, overall, out kids responded well. Chris Williams came in and ran well with Michael out, our kids didn't panic and we had a chance to win the game at the end."

Besides giving the Indians one of the best passing performances they have had in some four years, Lassiter finished with 25 yards on 10 carries while scoring one rushing TD and throwing for two. Due to the muscle problems, Gray finished below his usual attempts and yardage as he got 106 yards on 19 rushes with two touchdowns, while catching two passes for 47 yards.

Tate led all Indian receivers with 135 yards on four receptions, one for a touchdown. Williams rushed five times for 53 yards with one reception for nine. Fransisco Matos finished with one rush for 15 yards and one reception for 35 while Wilson gained 40 yards on six carries. Carlos Matos closed out the statistics with one reception for nine yards.

The Indians will take on their biggest rival as they host EPC at 7:30 p.m. Friday night for a 2A-3 contest.