Matagorda County teams Tidehaven and Palacios continued their long-standing rivalry on Friday in a season-opening contest.
The two teams entered the 2024 season under different circumstances. Palacios is looking to return to the postseason after a three-year hiatus, failing to win more than two games since its last appearance in 2020.
Palacios' last trip to the postseason also marked its last win against Tidehaven, who reached the Class 3A-Division II title last season in a 30-14 loss to Gunter. The Tigers entered the season opener with back-to-back 10-win seasons and district title.
Tidehaven lost multiple stars to graduation, such as Joseph Dodds (Baylor), Justin Griffith (Howard Payne) and Wyatt Lee (Panhandle St.), but it retained a large junior class with a wealth of experience.
The Tigers maintained their winning streak against Palacios, defeating the Sharks 41-13. With the victory, Tidehaven extended its regular season win streak to 17. Palacios lost its fifth consecutive season opener.
Tidehaven’s Boogie Galvan (4) and Palacios Noah West (10) attempt to catch the ball in the end zone Friday during a non-district game at Shark Stadium in Palacios.
Don Monroe/Special to The Tribune
Dodds left behind big shoes to fill after rushing for the second-most yards (2,509) in 3A last season, but replacement Jacob Martinez began his tenure as the starter with a 136-yard performance.
The senior back totaled 24 carries and a touchdown, recording a long rush of 30 yards. Boogie Galvan and Kale Russell also contributed to the ground game, combining for 60 yards on six attempts, with Russell finding the end zone.
Russell returns to the Tigers' offense with 29 games of experience in his first two years as a starter. The junior signal caller completed 12 of his 18 passes for 204 yards and three touchdowns, and Tidehaven's offense tallied 400 total yards.
Twice Russell connected with Jachen Duran for touchdowns, finishing with three catches for 63 yards. Galvan also recorded three catches for 68 yards, bringing his total yardage to 96. He reeled in the third passing touchdown.
Tidehaven's final score came on the defensive side of the ball as TJ Galvan returned an interception 47 yards to the end zone. It was one of three Tigers interceptions, with John Grigar and Duran recording the others.
Eli Daily and Lebron Garcia each forced a fumble, and Chad Faas and Darnell Butler recovered the loose ball opportunities. Tidehaven's defense allowed 188 yards, but Palacios accomplished something that took opponents nine games to do last year against the Tigers.
The Sharks scored two touchdowns, which is the same amount of end zone trips Tidehaven allowed last season. Palacios totaled 122 yards through the air and 66 on the ground.
Palacios aims to win its first game against St. Joseph's, a private school based in Victoria, at 7 p.m. at Shark Stadium. Tidehaven hosts Goliad, who is searching for its first win after losing to East Bernard in Week 1 at 7 p.m. at Delvin L. Taska Stadium.
