The Battle Ground Tiger football team overcame a 24-13 halftime deficit on Friday, Oct. 9, to earn a gritty 41-30 road victory over the Evergreen Plainsmen, fueled by a dominant rushing performance and a more physical second half.
Junior running back Miles Skov rushed for 256 yards and scored five touchdowns, while junior quarterback Jacob Bryant added a touchdown as the Tigers rallied after struggling to build momentum before halftime.
The comeback was a significant response for Battle Ground, which needed to find its footing after Evergreen capitalized on a slow start.
“Oh, this is monumental. This is Battle Ground grit right there. We tell our kids, talk about it every day,” head coach Mike Woodward said.
Junior offensive lineman Cody Cunningham said the Tigers recognized the need to turn things around after the break.
“We had a little bit of a slow start, for sure. But we really picked it up in the second half, I believe,” Cunningham said.
The offensive line played a key role in helping Skov find running lanes and wear down the Plainsmen. Cunningham said the team’s effort up front improved as the game progressed, giving Battle Ground the opportunity to establish its running game.
Skov’s production reflected both the blocking in front of him and his ability to keep moving through contact. Woodward praised the junior’s determination and ability to turn short gains into bigger plays.
“He keeps his legs turning, so he'll get those extra chunks,” Woodward said.
Cunningham also described the physicality that developed during the game, particularly when players stood up for their teammates. He recalled a sequence involving a physical altercation in the end zone after a two-point conversion, which ultimately prompted a momentum switch leaning the Tigers’ way.
Cunningham said he stepped in when he saw the situation escalate.
“And I wasn't going to let that slide. I mean, that's my boy right there. He didn't deserve that,” Cunningham said of the scuffle in the end zone.
The Tigers’ second-half response came at an important point in their schedule. Woodward said Battle Ground needed a test that would show how the team could respond to adversity before a challenging stretch of games in the second half of the round robin 4A Greater St. Helens League schedule.
With three tough league matchups ahead, the win provided an opportunity for the Tigers to build confidence in their ability.
Battle Ground will next host the Union Titans on Friday, Oct. 16 at 7 p.m.
