Football Game Preview: Tyler Lions vs. Centennial Spartans

The Tyler Lions will venture away from home to square off against the Centennial Spartans at 7:00 p.m. on Friday. Tyler will be strutting in after a victory while Centennial will be coming in after a loss.

Tyler had to skate by with only a one-point margin when they last took the field, which might have inspired the 36-point drubbing they dealt Cleburne on Friday. The Lions breezed past the Yellowjackets to the tune of 66-30. The final result isn't all that surprising considering the Lions' considerable advantage in MaxPreps' Texas football rankings (they are ranked 233rd, while the Yellowjackets are ranked 531st).

Caden J Granberry

Passing Touchdowns

10/10/25 vs Cleburne	6
09/26/25 vs Highland Park	3
09/12/25 vs Seagoville	3
10/03/25 @ Joshua	2
09/19/25 @ Lufkin	2
+ 2 more games

It was another big night for Caden J Granberry, who threw for 244 yards and six TDs while completing 72.2% of his passes. He has become a key player for Tyler: the team is 2-1 when he posts at least three passing touchdowns, but 1-3 otherwise. Christopher Moore was in the mix as well, providing the Lions with two touchdowns.

Tyler was unstoppable on the ground and finished the game with 285 rushing yards. They are 2-1 when they've run for more than 200 yards.

Tyler didn't go easy on the quarterback and picked off two passes before the game was over. The picks came courtesy of Keiundrae Ekwuruke and Andrevian Hampton-Ford. Hampton-Ford is also on a roll when it comes to total tackles, as he's now made six or more in each of the last four games he's played. Tyler got some further help from James Collier: he picked up a sack, forced one fumble, and made four total tackles (2.0 for loss).

Meanwhile, Centennial played a tough contest on Friday in which they were outscored in every quarter. They took a blow against Midlothian, falling 35-6. The game marked the Spartans' lowest-scoring matchup so far this season.

Centennial has been struggling recently as they've lost three of their last four contests. That's put a noticeable dent in their 2-4 record this season. As for Tyler, their record is now 3-4.

Tyler came up short against Centennial when the teams last played back in October of 2024, falling 42-36. Can the Lions avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.