The Luverne Tigers are looking to add a third state championship trophy to their case and this year may just be the year they make it happen. This year marks the 40th consecutive appearance Luverne football has made in the playoffs. This is the longest consecutive appearance in the state. Boasting an almost perfect record for the season, 9-1, the Tigers are a team that no one wants to face off against.

The tiger defense has only allowed one touchdown in six of the 10 games they have played this season and allowed their opponents no score at all in three of the 10 games. If an opponent is looking for an easy win, they picked the wrong team.

Not only does an opponent have to get past the defense; they have to keep up with the offense as well. In eight out of 10 games, the Tigers have scored more than 40 points per game.

In round one of the playoff season, the Tigers held Greene County at Bay while they racked up touchdowns throughout the game.

Keeshaun Glanton was a name heard again and again throughout the night. The senior completed three touchdowns during the playoff game. Glanton was the first Tiger to put points on the board, completing a 14-yard touchdown run right down the middle. (messinascatering)

John Taylor, junior, made an impressive 58-yard touchdown run with the help of his team who plowed a path down the middle, allowing Taylor free passage. Once through, there was no catching the lightning-fast quarterback.

John Taylor threw down field to Nikki Taylor who completed the 19-yard pass with a touchdown.

Glanton finished the first half off with a 32-yard run to the end zone, bring the score to 27-0.

Greene County managed to sneak past the Tigers for their only touchdown of the night during the third quarter. They also managed to temporarily stop the Tiger offense after coming back from the half-time break, but the Tigers pushed through and pulled out two more touchdowns in the fourth quarter.

Glanton made a five-yard push through the middle to make his third touchdown of the game.

Lakendrick Jordan finished up the game with a 27-yard touchdown pass from John Taylor, making the score 41-6 and sending the Tigers into round two of the playoffs.

Other highlights of the game included Deonte Harris, WR, was able to take possession of the ball in an interception before being swiftly taken down by the Greene County offensive line.

Nicholas Stewart, WR, made the second interception of the game.

DeShaun Brooks was able to complete a pass from Taylor while being covered by Greene County who quickly brought Brooks down. Nikki Taylor was able to pull off a dive catch from John Taylor, moving the Tigers 23-yards closer to the end zone.

“This time of year, it’s always good to get a win,” Jason Rowell, Luverne Tigers head coach, said. “We played a little flat, and I felt we played down to our competition a little bit. We are not finished and there is still work to be done. We need a great week of practice as we prepare to take on Lanett next week.”

The Luverne Tigers (9-1) will travel to Lanett (9-2) for round two of the playoffs Friday night.