Sometimes in football, there are losses that hurt long after the clock hits zero and the final whistle blows.

Tomball’s 24-21 heartbreaking defeat at the hands of Waller High School is one of them.

“We should have won,” senior wide receiver, Jacob Allan, said.  “There are some things we should have done better.”

Tomball led Waller 21-18 with less than a minute to play.  But on the Cougar’s final offensive play, a hard tackle forced a fumble.  Waller recovered and seconds later scored the winning touchdown.  The stunning loss left players and fans in disbelief.

“I was upset about last Friday’s game,” Jake Quinn, a senior wide receiver, said. “We really need to work hard and practice hard.  There is a chance we could still go to the playoffs.”

Tomball (2-5) is winless in the district.  The Cougars need to win all of their remaining three games and get some outside help to make a post-season run.

Sophomore quarterback Tybo Taylor is among the Cougars who remain optimistic going forward.

“I think we are going to beat (Tomball) Memorial,” Taylor said. “I hope we can make it to the playoffs.”

Players tell the Claw they’re ready to move past those final seconds and take out their frustrations on Brenham High School this Friday on the road.

“This week we can look forward to beating a really good team,” Allan said.  “We are focusing on one game at a time.”