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The DeLeon Bearcat football team defeated
Perrin Whitt by a score of 26-25 in Perrin last Friday night to go 2-1
in district play and find themselves in third place, one game behind
first place Gorman and Tolar.
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IN THE
TRENCHES. The Bearcats showed dominance on the offensive and
defensive lines in hard-fought victory |
The key to the win was the offensive and
defensive lines. Quarterback Clayton Stokes had time to stand in the
pocket and pick out receivers. Running backs were able to find holes
and round the corners for good yardage.
On defense, pressure on Pirate
quarterback Chris Smith prevented him from picking out receivers. Many
of his rushed throws went awry. The defense sacked him on several
occasions. He also threw for a couple of interceptions and had an
intentional grounding in the end zone for a safety.
Perrin Whitt scored first after both
teams failed on possessions. The Pirates completed a 48 yard
possession with a six yard pass from Smith to Jared Holt for the
score. Cody Travis blocked the point after attempt. The Pirates led,
6-0.
DeLeon scored on their next possession.
On a 40 yard drive, featuring carries by Cody Welch for 12 yards, a
pass to Austin Koonce for nine yards, a pass to Cody Welch for 12
yards, the drive stalled on the 12 yard line.
Pedro Calzada kicked a field goal,
narrowing the lead to 6-3.
In the second quarter, Smith hit Pirate
receiver Justin Epps for a 65 yard pass and a touchdown. The kick
after was successful, and Perrin led 13-3 at halftime.
The Bearcats came out in the second half
on fire. On the first play from the 25 yard line, Mitch Bearfoot
dropped the runner for a four yard loss. On the next play, Calzada
sacked Smith for a nine yard loss. On third down, Taner Winkles broke
through and tackled the runner for a four yard loss. Perrin punted on
fourth down and 27 from the nine yard line.
The offense came out on fire, also.
Taking the ball on the Pirate 44 yard line, Tanner Welch broke for 24
yards and then for 20 and the score. Calzada booted the point after,
and the lead was cut to 13-10.
Perrin scored late in the third quarter. Smith hit Holt for a 33 yard
touchdown pass. The extra point kick sailed right, and the Pirates led
19-10 with 2:42 seconds left in the third quarter.
Koonce took the kickoff and returned it
20 yards to the Pirate 46 yard line. Stokes then pitched the ball to
Kevin Smith who threw to Cody Welch for 46 yard touchdown. Calzada
kicked the PAT, and the Pirate lead shrank to 19-17.
The Bearcat defensive line pressured
Smith on the next possession, and he threw the ball short. It was
picked off by Steve Rorie, who carried it back sixty yard for a DeLeon
touchdown. Calzada kicked the extra point, and DeLeon captured the
lead, 24-19.
Rorie followed the touchdown with a good
hit on the kickoff, downing the pirates on the 19 yard line. Calzada
and Mike Reyes sacked Smith for a loss of five. Perrin was then
penalized for illegal procedure, and faced third down and 20 from the
nine yard line.
Smith dropped back into the end zone to
pass. The defensive line flushed him to his right, and Calzada latched
onto him. He threw the ball into the ground for an intentional
grounding penalty, costing his team two points and the ball. DeLeon
led 26-19.
Perrin scored near the end of the game on
a 50 yard drive. Aided by a personal foul penalty, the Pirates moved
the ball to the six yard line. Smith then hit Epps for a touchdown
pass. The PAT attempt to Holt was disrupted by Calzada and Koonce, and
DeLeon held on to the lead, 26-25, with 36 seconds left on the clock.
Perrin attempted an onside kick, but the
pile removal by the referees showed that DeLeon had recovered the ball
and captured an exciting win. |
