Tigers junior running back Keevie Rose (right) runs the ball against Gladewater. Malakoff advanced over Atlanta, 37-22, in the state quarterfinals last week.

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL | MALAKOFF TIGERS

MALAKOFF — Losses on the football field have been few and far between for the Malakoff Tigers this season.

The Tigers dropped a 28-7 decision at Grandview on Sept. 20 and a 22-20 verdict to Kemp on Nov. 9.

In between, Malakoff suffered some losses off the field.

Karen Adams — the younger sister of senior tight end/defensive end Caleb Adams — died of cancer at the age of 15. Michael Voyles — one of Malakoff’s biggest fans — died in a vehicle crash on his way back from Malakoff’s district win at Dallas Madison on Oct. 26. Kenneth Hayes — the grandfather of senior offensive lineman/defensive end Kyler Dalrymple — died in early November.

The Tigers have placed a turquoise ‘K’ on their helmet for Karen, a black and white ‘MV’ on their helmet for Voyles and orange tape on their helmet for Hayes.

“All of that happened in about a span of two weeks in the middle of district,” Malakoff head coach Jamie Driskell said. “It puts things in perspective. We got that put on our helmets to let people know that they are with us.”

“We’ve had a lot of adversity, but I think every little piece of adversity we’ve faced has made us want it more,” senior tight end/defensive end Parker Busch said.

“The one word that defines this team is family,” senior linebacker/wide receiver Everardo Garcia said. “We’re all a family, and we all support each other.”

STATE SEMIFINALS

Since the Nov. 9 setback to Kemp to close the regular season, Malakoff has reeled off four consecutive playoff wins to reach the state semifinals for the

second time in three seasons.

Malakoff went 14-1 in 2016 before falling to Yoakum, 28-24, in the state semifinals.

The Tigers were knocked out in the first round of the 2017 playoffs by Rockdale, which went on to defeat Brock in the Class 3A Division I championship.

Brock is Malakoff’s opponent in the Class 3A Division I semifinals at 4 p.m. Friday at the Ford Center at The Star in Frisco.

Malakoff’s roster consists of 10 seniors, 13 juniors, 12 sophomores and seven freshmen.

“We knew our sophomores were a talented group, but still being sophomores, you never know what to expect,” Driskell said. “We had some really veteran seniors that had been on varsity since they were sophomores. We’ve also got a good junior group. We were hoping it would all gel together, and luckily it has.”

One of those sophomores is quarterback Darion Peace, who had a touchdown run and touchdown pass in the third round against Gladewater and then rushed for 102 yards and a touchdown in last week’s 37-22 win over Atlanta.

The Tigers are averaging 42.2 points per game, and the defense is limiting opponents to 16.7 points per contest.

“I think it’s our chemistry,” Busch said. “We all fit really well together. We’re a smaller defense, but we fly around to the football, and we’re really physical.”

“Our defense has been really good,” Driskell said. “Coach (Brent) Watkins does a great job, and those kids get after it.”

‘SIMILAR TO US’

Next up for Malakoff (11-2) is Brock (13-1). The Eagles have won 11 straight games since a 21-0 loss to Argyle Liberty Christian on Sept. 14.

Brock took a 23-21 win over Shallowater in the state quarterfinals.

“I think they’re similar to us,” Driskell said. “They’re hard-nosed kids that play hard. They’re well coached, and they accept their coaching. I think we’ve got a lot of similarities. It’s going to be a fun matchup. We’ll see what happens, and hopefully our kids are ready to play.”

“We’ve just got to trust in our coaches’ game plan and do it to the best of our abilities, and I believe we will win,” senior wide receiver/defensive back Ka’derrious Thomas said.

The winner of Friday’s game will advance to the Class 3A Division I championship to face either Grandview or Yoakum at 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 20 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington.

TWITTER: @BrandonOSports

IF YOU GO

• The Malakoff Tigers (11-2, runners-up in District 6-3A Division I) and the Brock Eagles (13-1, champions of District 4-3A Division I) meet on Friday in a Class 3A Division I state semifinals football playoff game in Frisco. Kickoff is scheduled for 4 p.m. at the Ford Center at The Star, 9 Cowboys Way, Frisco, 75034.