ANSON — Hosting archrival Stamford for both their homecoming game and their District 3-2A Division I opener, the Anson Tigers took the field with ample motivation Friday at Tiger Stadium.

Add in the fact that coach Chris Hagler’s squad was playing its first game since Sept. 18 due to a COVID cancellation and their scheduled bye week, and Friday’s game might as well have been the Super Bowl.

The Tigers played like it, too, rallying from a 22-14 halftime deficit to take a 41-22 fourth-quarter lead, before holding off a late Stamford rally for a huge 41-34 victory.