By ALEX AGUEROS

(WARRENSBURG, Mo., digitalBURG) – The Tigers kicked off the football season at home Friday evening, losing 33-7 to the Tigers of Excelsior Springs.

Warrensburg struggled to put together many promising drives, falling behind early against the noticeably bigger Excelsior team.

“The reality is they beat us up front,” said head coach Scott Grinde. “Football is not complicated. If you don’t win in the trenches, you aren’t going to win the football game.”

Excelsior Springs by no means played flawlessly as Warrensburg recovered three of five Excelsior fumbles, helping to prevent the continuous clock mercy rule.

Excelsior took a 33-point lead deep into the fourth quarter before senior receiver Malik Levine pulled down a 44-yard reception, setting up a short touchdown run for senior running back Jared Allen. The score would remain 33-7.

After a loss as convincing as Friday’s, Grinde looks to improve the team from the inside out.

“We were not very good up front on either side,” Grinde said. “To me, that must be our number one priority, we have to improve on both sides of the line.”

Next Friday, Warrensburg faces off against the Roosters of Pleasant Hill in their first road game of the season. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.