Graceville Tigers Earn Emotional First Win in Season of Perseverance
By: Shelia Mader
After two years without a complete season, the Graceville Tigers finally had a night to celebrate. Their 42–15 victory over the Vernon Yellowjackets marked not just their first win of the season, but a powerful moment of redemption for a program that’s fought its way back from the brink.
For a team that hadn’t completed a season in two years, this win felt bigger than the scoreboard. The Tigers are now 1–5, but those numbers don’t tell the full story. They’ve competed in every game, often short on depth but never on determination.
Head Coach AJ Davis and his staff, Joey Baxter, Trey McGriff, Brandon Pittman, and Marques Smith, have worked tirelessly to rebuild not only a roster but a culture. That effort is showing, with young talent emerging and the community rallying behind them.
The Tigers’ resilience was on full display Friday night. Senior Jabari Barnes led the charge with three touchdowns and 84 yards on just five carries. Freshman Avonte Bowden added two scores and threw for 104 yards and two more touchdowns, completing four of seven passes. Daqarius Ward found the end zone once, and Corde Giles electrified the crowd with a punt return for a touchdown.
The defense showed the same fight. T.J. Rich anchored the group with 10 solo tackles and three assists, while Marquis Smith added seven solo stops. Allen Cotton and Barnes each chipped in with solid performances, helping to seal the win.
Beyond the stats, this victory belonged to the town. Graceville fans packed the stands, joined by supporters from Malone, where three of Graceville’s players, including Bowden attend school. Malone doesn’t field a football team, but their students’ dedication, traveling daily for practice and games, has deepened the bond between the two communities.
As Coach Davis put it after the game, this team isn’t just playing football again, they’re representing what persistence looks like. “It’s been a long road,” he said. “These kids never quit, and neither did the people who believe in them.”
For Graceville, this win is more than a number in the column. It’s proof that with heart, hard work, and a united community, the Tigers are truly back.