Tenaha ISD Superintendent Scott Tyner issued this response after Center Broadcasting contacted him Monday after Shelbyville AD & Head Football Coach Jason Ferguson said Tenaha pulled out on Shelbyville leaving the Dragons without a game on Sept. 11

"It's unfortunate any time local schools disagree.  However, my job is to make to decisions in the best interests of the kids and community of Tenaha ISD.  As a spokesman for our district and community at-large, it is our goal to seek interscholastic competitions that serve the betterment of students and communities at-large.  To continue this series at this time would not do that for either community, for reasons I outlined specifically in a letter to Dr. (Ray) West (Shelbyville ISD superintendent) back in September.  We wish the Dragon program the best of luck on their season and in their division.  For us, it was in our interest (which includes winning a Division 2 State Championship) to play an opponent from our own division." Scott Tyner, Tenaha ISD Superintendent

Below is a press release from Tenaha ISD Superintendent Scott Tyner concerning the Tigers adding a replacement game to their 2015 schedule on Sept. 11.

Tigers Add 2A Division 2 Power Santo to 2015 Non-District Slate

When playing in the state’s smallest classification of eleven man football, scheduling non-district opponents in your own class is not only difficult, it is next to impossible.  Couple that with being one of only two schools in the entire state to have won four straight regional titles in their respective division, and it’s easy to see that many rising and up and coming programs in Texas place a bulls’ eye squarely on your back for a “signature win” opportunity.  The Tenaha Tigers have endured that “bull’s eye” for quite some time now.  Since 2006, Tenaha has littered its non-district schedule with larger programs in order to fill its schedule.  Not just larger programs, but elite programs. 

In 2010, the UIL split Class 2A (then 1A) into upper and lower divisions.  Over the last five seasons, Tenaha has yet to face a non-district opponent from its own division.   For five years, larger schools with more depth and potentially more program resources have lined up and targeted the prominent Tiger program for an early year tilt.  Just last year, Tenaha began a non-district series with Class 3a Division I White Oak which is three divisions larger than the Tigers.  The result was one of the hardest fought, most sportsmanlike games in Tenaha history.  It was a first class affair between two playoff contending programs in front of a large crowd which Tenaha won 26-15.  The Roughnecks will make their Tiger Stadium debut this season at the annual Hall of Honor game on September 18. 

Earlier this summer, new Tenaha Head Coach Craig Horn was approached with an opportunity.  That opportunity was to play a team from Class 2A Division 2 in a non-district game.  The Santo Wildcats, fresh off of a 12-2 State Quarterfinal run last year have requested a non-district match-up with the 11-2 State Semi-Final Tenaha Tigers on October 3 at Corsicana High School.  The match-up could potentially preview a possible State Championship Game match-up as Santo hails from Region II and Tenaha in Region III.  The game will mark the first non-district game between Tenaha and a team from its own division since the UIL split Class 2A into two divisions in 2010.

September 11 will now be the Tenaha open date on the schedule.