Princeton, Ind.  The drought is over. For the first time since 2018, the Princeton Community Tigers opened their football season with a victory, knocking off the Tecumseh Braves on Friday night in front of a roaring home crowd.

Playmakers Step Up

Senior running back Karwin Pope powered the Tigers’ offense with three rushing touchdowns, setting the tone with his physical, downhill style. Senior quarterback Cale Beloat added balance to the attack, firing a touchdown pass to sophomore Quintyn Voltz, who hauled it in to extend Princeton’s lead and energize the sideline.

Defense Holds Strong

While the offense stole the spotlight, the defense played just as important a role in the win. The Tigers’ front seven bottled up Tecumseh’s rushing attack, forced punts, and made timely stops that kept the Braves from gaining momentum.

Ending the Streak

The victory carried extra weight Princeton had not won a season opener since 2018, when they defeated Evansville North. For seniors like Pope and Beloat, finally starting the season 1–0 was a milestone years in the making.

“This is what we’ve been building toward,” Head Coach Archer said. “Cale made the throws, Karwin ran with authority, Quintyn made a huge play, and our defense was relentless. This was a complete team win and the first step toward where we want to go.”

Looking Ahead

The Tigers (1–0) now turn their attention to Pike Central next week. With veterans leading the charge and young playmakers stepping up, Princeton will look to build on the momentum of Friday night’s breakthrough and prove this is more than just one big win it’s the start of a new era.