The Kirksville Tigers took advantage of a huge fumble recovery by scoring right before halftime, which turned out to be the turning point of the game, and the Tigers pulled out a thrilling come from behind win over Mexico 43-42 Friday night, spoiling Mexico’s Homecoming. Jalen Kent set a school record for receptions in a game with 18 catches, 247 yards and five touchdowns. Kent also slammed the door on the Bulldogs with an interception at the Tiger 3 yard line with 1:42 to play. Kirksville moved the ball well in the first quarter and scored first on a 14 yard pass from Isaac Danielson to Kent which was set up by a 32 yard pass to Drew Chrisman on third and twelve. Mexico, however, would score the four unanswered touchdowns to take a 28-7 lead in the second quarter. Frankly, the Tigers looked awful during much of the second period, but the game turned after a mystifying decision by Mexico coach Steve Haag to call for a passing play with a minute to go in the half. Quarterback Ty Sims had the ball stripped by Kirksville’s Nick Fortney as Sims wound up to throw. Fortney recovered the fumble at the 50 yard line, then Danielson found Kent for a 50 yard touchdown catch, helped by some nifty running by Kent after the catch and suddenly the Tigers were right back in the game, 28-14 going into halftime. Mexico’s Andrew Runge got injured in the 2nd quarter and did not return, which affected the Bulldog offense. KHS forced Mexico into a three and out to start the 3rd quarter and found the end zone on a Drew Chrisman 23 yard run on 4th and 1 with 8:12 remaining in the third to close the gap to 28-21. Kent scored on a nine yard catch with 3:48 to go in the third as the Tigers tied the game at 28-28. Mexico answered right back on a 14 yard TD reception to Anthony Shivers with 1:03 left in the third, and following the 2 point conversion the Bulldogs led 36-28. On the Tigers next possession Kent scored again on a 41 yard reception, Chrisman powered his way in for a successful 2 point conversion and the game was tied again at 36-36 with 11:47 to play in the game. Mexico’s Jordan Shelton scored on a 32 yard pass from Sims with 8:35 to play, but the Bulldogs, forced to go for two with kicker Runge injured on the sideline, missed the attempt which would prove to be a critical miss. The Tigers found the end zone again with 4:40 to play on a 14 yard catch by Kent to tie the game at 42-42. Kendrick Hartman’s PAT was good to give the Tigers the lead at 43-42. The Tigers needed to make a stop and Jalen Kent capped off his historic night by intercepting a Sims pass intended for Shelton at the Kirksville 3 yard line with 1:42 to play. That was the same pattern Mexico scored the go ahead TD with earlier in the fourth. Kirksville picked up a critical first down on the possession and ran out the clock to win 43-42 in a classic. The Tigers racked up 452 total yards of offense. Danielson was 28 for 42 through the air for 387 yards and five touchdowns. KHS climbs to 4-3 on the year and 3-1 in the NCMC. Next, the Tigers celebrate the seniors when Fulton comes to town. Fulton got crushed by Fulton Friday 38-8.