For their Greater Kansas City Suburban Conference-Blue Division opener, the Tigers got stingy on defense. Officially, Excelsior Springs allowed only 201 yards of total offense en route to defeating Winnetonka Sept. 9 at Tiger Stadium, including only 21 yards passing. Junior Kolt Willis led the defense with 5.5 tackles after missing Week 2 because of an injury. Sophomore Carson Jackson also made 5.5 tackles. Senior Andrew DeOrnellis made 3.5 tackles and contributed an interception. “Our defense stayed with what we had been running all week and believed in it and played hard all night long and that allowed us to execute well,” coach Mark Faubion said. Offensively, both teams scored on their respective opening possessions. The Tigers drove 80 yards on their opening possession, with senior Rakai Gantt ripping off a 23-yard TD run. Junior Kylor Meek’s extra-point kick made it 7-0 Excelsior Springs wit...