The Tigers increased their record to 7-2 with a win over the Southwestern Pirates 27-19.

With this being the last home game and senior recognition night, the Tigers great motivation to finish with a win.

“We as a team wanted to dominate the game start to finish,” said senior linebacker Jakob Coker. “We wanted to go out on a high note and really create a turning point for the program.”

The team had a slow start after going down 12-0 after the first quarter, but Trinity responded with a touchdown right before the half.

Junior quarterback Austin Grauer hit senior wide receiver Antonio Massagli from 29 yards to put the Tigers on the board.

“The attitude on the sideline was determination to respond and get us back on top,” Massagli said. “There was never a second where I thought we were going to give in, because the seniors made it clear that we were not losing our last home game.”

The halftime talk had a huge impact on the team coming back scoring 20 points all in a span under six minutes within the third quarter.

“They answered the challenge and came out and played like the dominating football team they can be,” said head coach Jerheme Urban.

Sophomore runningback Evan McDowell scored the first touchdown on the third quarter on a 15-yard run followed 59-yard run by Jeremy Simmons.

Grauer finished the quarter with a 34-yard drive to sophomore Jayden Holden followed by a two-yard push to by Grauer to score with 1:20 left in the quarter.

Junior Luke Packard led the defense with 10 total tackles, 2 1/2 sacks, and 5 quarterbacks hurries while Grauer finished with two touchdowns and 205 passing yards.

The 22 seniors this year have made an impact, the largest senior class in recent Trinity history.

“We have vocal leaders, we have action leaders, but most importantly, we have guys who have shown the young players that if you commit to one another, and be the best player you can be with your skill set, that you can do outstanding things,” Urban said.

This speaks not only to the seniors’ leadership but also the atmosphere of this team as well.

Senior Jake Vaught speaks on the team’s culture and the impact it has had on his life.

“We had a large senior class this year, and we really put an emphasis on team unity and working together to achieve our goals as a team, not as individuals.” Vaught said. “We constantly push each other to be excellent in our families, communities, classroom and on the field. This team plays out of love for their teammates around them, and I expect this family atmosphere to grow on the football team after I graduate.”

Being on a close-knit team does not come to everyone, and this team has made it a point to play as a unit and rely on each other to be successful.

Although they did not make it as far as they wanted, the seniors can finish are proud of the impact they made on this program and know the team culture they created will continue on in Trinity football.

Being a good teammate requires communication, dedication and giving your best.

“It’s easy to let go of the workouts and practices, but it is difficult to not spend any time with your teammates at those workouts and practices after you have been doing it together for so long,” Coker said.

The Tigers conclude their season this Friday at Austin College.