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The DeLeon Bearcat football team defeated
the Santo Wildcats, 32-6, last Friday night to go 3-1 in district
play, virtually assuring them a playoff spot.
DeLeon is in third place in District 12A,
behind Gorman (4-0) and Tolar (3-0). Perrin Whitt is in fourth place
(2-2), and has yet to play Tolar and Ranger.
The team continued to show improvement in
most aspects of the game, but still needs improvements in some areas.
The defense was affective, but showed
some gaps in the middle early against the run. Quick adjustments
improved that, stopping many runs at the line of scrimmage. With
Santo’s inability to pass, that left the Wildcats with no way to move
the ball.
Offensively, DeLeon sputtered at times,
but often came up with an effective play to recover from mistakes.
Clayton Stokes was sacked several times. Penalties hurt the team in
situations. But the young team had less costly penalties than in
previous weeks. All but one of DeLeon’s second half possessions were
successful. The exception was the last one, on which the Bearcats let
the clock run out to win the game after driving the ball 55 yards and
consuming almost eight minutes of the clock.
For the second week in a row, the
offensive and defensive lines excelled. DeLeon’s tough-running ball
carriers found open space and pick out long runs.
DeLeon scored midway through the first
quarter. After Cody Travis recovered a Santo fumble, DeLeon sustained
a 45 yard drive, benefiting from a 22 yard cutback run by Tanner Welch
and a ten yard swing pass to Kevin Smith. Later, facing a fourth down
and one, Stokes ran a quarterback sneak for five yards and a first
down on the 18 yard line.
Smith carried up the middle for seven
yards. Tanner Welch carried for 10. Stokes then snuck the ball in for
the score.
Pedro Calzada kicked the extra point
attempt, and DeLeon carried a 7-0 lead.
DeLeon’s second score in the first
quarter was set up by a 44 yard punt return by Kevin Smith, giving the
Bearcats the ball on the Wildcat nine yard line. Smith carried the
ball in on two carries.
Calzada successfully kicked the PAT, and
DeLeon led, 14-0.
Santo scored late in the second quarter,
completing a short drive of 38 yards after a negative-yard possession
by DeLeon. The big play came on a pass to receiver Jacob Moore for 22
yard. From the one, a quarterback sneak pushed in the score.
Calzada disrupted the two point attempt
and DeLeon held to a 14-6 lead.
The Bearcats came out of halftime
determined for the second week in a row. Austin Koonce and Mitch
Bearfoot had key stops before Calzada ripped the ball out of the
quarterback’s hands. DeLeon took over possession 22 yard from the
goal.
Smith carried for 16 yards, but the drive
stalled on the four yard line. Calzada hit a 21 yard field goal to
push the lead to 17-6 midway through the third quarter.
DeLeon stopped Santo on their next
possession, but was not to be stopped.
The Bearcats took the ball over on their
own 40 yard line. After Santo was penalized for lining up off sides,
Tanner Welch carried the load with runs of six, 41 and six yards.
Stokes then ran a quarterback sneak for the final two yards and the
score.
DeLeon lined up to kick the point after,
but on the snap, Smith, the holder, took the ball and ran up the
middle for two points. DeLeon led, 25-6.
DeLeon’s final score came after Santo
fumbled on their next possession. The Bearcats recovered on the
Wildcat’s two yard line. Smith took the pitch from Stokes and skirted
around the left end for the score.
Calzada kicked the PAT, and the final
score rested at 32-6 early in the fourth quarter.
The Bearcat defense stopped Santo after
one first down, forcing a punt.
DeLeon took the ball on its own 17 yard
line and was rolling again. A long drive consumed the final 7:58
seconds.
Coach John Ward and crew will be looking
for a good week of practice before heading to Gorman next Friday
night. |
