The Kirksville Tigers won their season opener over Macon Friday 42-26. The Tigers led 28-0 and 34-6, but needed a Cole Kelly touchdown and a game sealing Sean Payton interception to get the win. Jace Kent scored the first two touchdowns of the game on a one yard run and a 12 yard catch from Hayden Davis in the first quarter. Tony Tiberi-Ramos scored on a 12 yard grab on the first play of the second quarter. Payton’s first interception of the game on Macon’s ensuing possession set up Davis’s 3 yard run making it 28-0. Macon would score right before halftime on a 39 yard catch by Jonathon Bray to make it 28-6. Tiberi-Ramos made an 11 yard touchdown catch on 4th down and 6 midway through the third. Then Macon would score the game’s next three touchdowns to get to within 8 points. Tiberi-Ramos came up big with a return to the Macon 12 on the ensuing kickoff, before Kelly scored on an 8 yard run. Payton then secured his second interception of the game on Macon’s next possession to seal the deal. Payton also recovered a fumble and made nine tackles. KHS opens at 1-0 and will travel to Chillicothe Friday. Chillicothe lost to Marshall 19-13.