The A&M Consolidated Tigers finally got their season started. Ninth-ranked Richmond Foster defeated the Tigers, 34-28 at Tigerland Stadium.

Blame the loss on Foster, Tiger coach David Raffield said, not on his team being rusty.

“I was very impressed with the way our kids played for a first game out,” Consol coach David Raffield said. “I think we won the special teams battle, which is usually something that hurts you when you don’t play.”

Raffield was pleased with the performance of his offensive line, which was one of the Tigers’ biggest question marks opening the season.

“I was really impressed with our offensive line,” the Tiger coach said. “We talked about them being a question mark because none of them had started a varsity game. It was five new guys, four underclassmen, and we were able to run the football against an extremely good defensive team.”

Consol rushed for 253 yards.

It was a good all-around effort, made even better Saturday morning when every defensive player graded out positive.

“That’s the first time since we’ve been at this school that that has happened,” Raffield said.