MAY – For the No. 1 May Tigers, Wednesday’s return trip to AT&T Stadium in Arlington for the Class A Division I football state championship game against the No. 4 Westbrook Wildcats offers an opportunity at redemption.

A season ago, the Tigers also played for the Class A Division I state championship where they came up short against Sterling City. Earlier this week, May players spoke about their journey back to Arlington and their intent to return home with a state championship trophy this time.

“We want redemption,” said Damian Salinas. “Last year we were just excited to get there, but this is our chance to go back and win it. There’s more of a drive to win it this year. We really just want it more after knowing what it’s like to get there. We want to win it this time.”

Kaysen King added, “We’re just trying to finish what we started last year. We came so close last year and didn’t get it. We want to go out on a good note this year.”

The Tigers lost nine of 14 lettermen from the 13-2 team in 2020 that played for the state championship. Despite a revamped roster, the Tigers came into the season with a No. 3 preseason ranking and immediately amplified expectations with triumphs over Borden County and reigning state champion Sterling City – both away from home.

“We’ve been talking about it all season, getting back and winning,” said Blake Harrell. “I knew we were going to be good and we knew no one else in the state was going to be that much better than us, or better than us at all.”

The 104-80 victory at Sterling City – which defeated May twice last season – seemed to be the point in the season where the Tigers felt a return to Arlington was a legitimate goal.

“We beat Sterling City and that was a top-ranked opponent who was beat us last year,” Kaden Halk said. “After that I felt like that’s when our team really came together.”

Avery Williford, who joined the team prior to the 2021 season, said, “After we beat Sterling City we just started playing better and played more as a team.”

Williford’s addition to the returning cast added significant depth on both sides of the ball to an already talented May squad.

“It means quite a bit,” Williford said of his first trip to a state championship. “I’m glad I got to move here and got to help out. They’re great kids and I like playing them, they’re like brothers.”

For the most part this season, the Tigers have been dominant on both sides of the ball. The defense averages more than three takeaways per game and has scored 84 points, while the offensive features a wealth of weapons both on the ground and through the air.

May’s defense yields 24 points per game, but has forced 45 turnovers – 32 fumble recoveries and 13 interceptions – with 14 returned for touchdowns. Leading tacklers include Salinas (123 tackles, 10.5 for loss, 4 INTs, 5 FRs), Harrell (98 tackles, 11.5 for loss, 4 FRs, 1 FR), Williford (96 tackles, 36.5 for loss, 5 FRs), Brian Kunkel (77 tackles, 10.5 for loss, 4 FRs, 1 INT), Halk (56 tackles, 3.5 for loss, 4 INTs, 4 FRs), and King (55 tackles, 9 for loss, 5 FRs, 1 INT).

As for the secret to the Tigers’ defensive success, Halk said, “For the most part it comes from our D-line. They force a lot of fumbles, and our pass coverage is pretty good. Most teams can’t pass on us.”

Williford said, “Everyone does their job. You don’t have to worry about someone else’s job. You just do your job and it all works out.”

On the offensive end, the Tigers generate 67 points and 328 yards – 212 rushing and 116 passing – per game.

Leading the way on the ground are Halk (982 yards, 23 TDs), Williford (872 yards, 21 TDs), and Harrell (633 yards, 12 TDs). Through the air, Harrell has completed 50 of 82 passes for 1,246 yards with 23 touchdowns and two interceptions. Top receiving threats include Halk (18-383, 7 TDs), Williford (15-415, 10 TDs), King (10-261, 4 TDs), Salinas (8-203, 6 TDs), and Kunkel (7-163, 4 TDs).

As for May’s success on offense, Halk said, “We have three different backs, so we have a lot of diversity, and all three of us play different. I feel like we’re athletic enough to pretty much do what we want.”

Harrell added, “We’re faster than last year’s team but we’re just as physical and that helps us a lot. Everybody on the field has at least decent speed. We move around enough to get it done.”

The Tigers haven’t had an easy road to Arlington despite a domineering regular season performance. The past three playoff foes for May have all been undefeated and ranked in the Top 5, and each led the Tigers at some point during the contest. Still, the Tigers overcame the adversity and kept their state championship dream alive.

“It’s going to help us with the ups and downs of the game,” King said in regard to how the last three games will aid May against Westbrook. “Even if we get behind, keep driving and just keep going.”

Williford added, “We went through a gauntlet. We’re used to playing close games, we don’t quit and we keep going until the game’s over.”

May’s only football state championship was captured in 1977. So what would it mean for the 2021 Tigers to join that elite company?

“Everything,” Harrell said. “That’s the goal.”

Halk added, “This is all we work for all year, throughout the summer, throughout the preseason and even the playoffs. We want to go out a winner.”