Courtesy Photo/JCaden Tennyson
Malakoff quarterback Mike Jones, who looks for a receiver against Winnsboro Nov. 8, later scores the winning touchdown on a 16-yard run to clinch the district title and an undefeated regular season.

Monitor File Photo/Russell Slaton
Malakoff’s Michael Elliott catches a Mike Jones touchdown pass of 47 yards to give the Tigers their first lead against Winnsboro Nov. 8, at 21-14.

WINNSBORO–The Malakoff Tigers, ranked No. 1 in Texas in the Class 3A Division I Associated Press poll, finished their second-straight unbeaten regular season and won their 26th consecutive game with a 35-28 victory over the Winnsboro Raiders Nov. 8.
The Malakoff win clinched the District 7-3A title over the Raiders, who also entered the Nov. 8 contest undefeated in District and had been ranked No. 7 in the same state poll. Malakoff will next defend their Class 3A Division I state championship from 2023 in the playoffs, with the Tigers’ opening Bi-District game scheduled Nov. 14 (tonight) against the Tatum Eagles at Tyler’s Rose Stadium. During the regular season, Malakoff outscored their opponents 488-102 on their way to the Tigers’ sixth-straight District title.
After Winnsboro took a 7-0 lead, Malakoff answered in the first quarter with a Jason Tennyson 65-yard touchdown run. After Winnsboro went back ahead 14-7 in the second quarter, the Tigers tied the game at 14-14 in the third quarter with a Tennyson 6-yard touchdown run. Malakoff then took a 21-14 lead on a Mike Jones 47-yard touchdown pass to Michael Elliott.
Winnsboro next tied the game at 21-21. After that, Tennyson scored his third touchdown run to give Malakoff a 28-21 lead. Winnsboro tied the game once again at 28-28 with a 72-yard touchdown run late in the third quarter.
Malakoff’s defense stopped Winnsboro’s offense on downs in the fourth quarter, taking over possession on their own 33-yard line. Later, Jones ran 16 yards for a touchdown to give the Tigers a 35-28 lead with 1:25 remaining in the game.
Jones threw for 151 yards while Tennyson carried the ball 15 times for 165 yards along with Tennyson’s three touchdowns. Evan Loper led the Tiger defense with five tackles, followed by Kayland Davis and Parker Poteete, who each had 4.5 tackles. Malakoff compiled 494 total yards on offense.
In other Nov. 8 games, Mabank finished their season with a 48-0 loss at Kilgore, Kemp lost 35-3 at Quinlan Ford and Oakwood defeated visiting Trinidad 68-18.