In a season defined by tragedy and triumph, the Kerrville Antlers delivered their most complete performance yet when it mattered most
Under the bright lights of Antler Stadium on September 12th, something magical happened. What started as just another Friday night football game between Highway 16 rivals transformed into something much deeper—a statement of resilience, a display of raw talent, and a reminder of why high school football matters so much in Texas.
The Perfect Storm of Motivation
Just seven days earlier, the Tivy Antlers had endured what head coach Curtis Neill called a “punishing loss” to Comal Davenport, where his team “racked up stats in all the wrong columns.” Turnovers plagued the Antlers, and for a brief moment, doubt crept into a community that had already endured too much heartbreak.
You see, this wasn’t just any season for Kerrville. The devastating July 4th floods that claimed 117 lives in Kerr County still hung heavy over the community. This football team wasn’t just playing for wins—they were playing for healing.
“Last week left a bad taste in our mouths,” said defensive standout Hayden Foster. “We made it a priority at practice to focus harder than we ever have, because this is a big deal for us, this game.”
When Lightning Strikes Twice
The pre-game ceremony set the tone for something special. In an extraordinary show of support, Houston Texans owner Cal McNair, Hall of Fame receiver Andre Johnson, and team officials presented a $150,000 donation to Kerrville ISD, with $50,000 specifically earmarked for Tivy athletics. The gesture came after coach Curtis Neill was named the Texans’ Week One Youth Football Coach of the Week—a recognition that brought NFL attention to a small Texas town still rebuilding from tragedy.
But ceremonies don’t win football games. What happened next did.
The Colin Rose Show Begins
On Tivy’s very first possession, something clicked. Quarterback Colin Rose, playing with the confidence of a seasoned veteran, needed just seven plays and 1:31 to find the end zone on a 22-yard keeper that announced the Antlers’ intentions. Jake Zirkel’s extra point made it 7-0, and the rout was on.
“Our boys were hungry,” Neill said after the game. “They were playing for one another and for our community.”
Rose wasn’t finished. With 3:02 left in the first quarter, he found Guy Flores streaking down the field for a 42-yard touchdown bomb that sent the home crowd into a frenzy. 14-0, and Fredericksburg was already reeling.
The Avalanche Effect
What makes great teams different from good ones? It’s their ability to pile on when they smell blood. Tivy had that killer instinct on full display.
Aiden Zavala broke loose for a 56-yard scoring run in the second quarter, showcasing the explosive speed that makes him one of the Hill Country’s most dangerous weapons. But the play that truly broke Fredericksburg’s spirit came courtesy of sophomore safety Josh Wheatfall.
Reading the quarterback’s eyes perfectly, Wheatfall jumped a route and raced 76 yards to the house with a pick-six that had Antler Stadium absolutely erupting. At that moment, with Tivy leading 27-0, you could almost see the fight drain out of the visiting Billies.
“I just got a good read on the ball and coach called the right play,” Wheatfall said with the understated confidence of a future star. “Once I got the ball, I took off and was gone.”
Death by a Thousand Cuts
President Calamaco added a 20-yard touchdown reception before halftime, and by the time the teams headed to the locker rooms, Tivy led 34-3. Fredericksburg managed just a 44-yard field goal from Santi Villa, a small consolation in what was becoming a systematic dismantling.
The third quarter brought more of the same, with Kyrin Armelin hauling in a 35-yard touchdown strike from Rose. When the final whistle sounded, the scoreboard told the complete story: Tivy 48, Fredericksburg 10.
The Numbers Don’t Lie
Rose’s final stat line read like something from a video game: 20-of-27 passing for 341 yards and four touchdowns. In an era where high school quarterbacks often struggle with consistency, Rose delivered precision at every level of the field.
Guy Flores emerged as his favorite target, hauling in nine catches for 146 yards and a score. Calamaco added 112 receiving yards on five catches with two touchdowns, while Armelin contributed six catches for 83 yards and a touchdown. The offensive balance that had been missing against Davenport was back in full force.
On the ground, Zavala’s 138 yards on 15 carries provided the perfect complement to Rose’s aerial assault, giving defensive coordinators nightmares about how to stop this multifaceted attack.
More Than Just a Win
For Fredericksburg, now 0-2 on the season, the loss stings. But for Tivy, this wasn’t just about moving to 2-1 under first-year coach Neill. This was about proving that the previous week’s struggles were an aberration, not a trend.
“We worked on fundamentals. We worked on getting back to who we are. We worked on believing,” Neill explained. “We’re a good football team. What you saw last week isn’t who we are.”
The defense, led by Foster, Tomas Arreola, and Wheatfall, held Fredericksburg to a single touchdown—a fourth-quarter consolation score when Griffin Beard caught a short pass from quarterback Kress Mohr.
Looking Ahead
As district play approaches, this performance serves as both a statement and a foundation. The Antlers have the offensive firepower to compete with anyone, and their defense showed the kind of swarming intensity that wins championships.
For a community still healing from unimaginable loss, this team is providing something precious: hope. Every Friday night, they take the field carrying the dreams of Kerrville on their shoulders, and against Fredericksburg, they proved those dreams are in capable hands.
The Highway 16 rivalry will continue, and Fredericksburg will undoubtedly regroup. But on this September night, under the lights that shine so bright in Texas, there was only one story worth telling.
The Tivy Antlers were back, and they weren’t going anywhere.
TFND—Tivy Fight Never Dies—isn’t just a motto. On nights like this, it’s a promise.