A&M Consolidated drops to 0-2 for the Season

STORY BY: BOB WRIGHT

CYPRESS- The A&M Consolidated Tigers dropped to 0-2 Friday night at the Berry Center in Cypress-Fairbanks, but showed vast offensive improvement over the 17-9 loss to Klein Oak a week ago. This week’s loss came at the hands of Cypress Woods of District 13-5A.

The 27-21 loss to the Wildcats was a season opener for the victors. Cy Woods blocked two Justin Zimmerman field goals, while Consol had another field goal to sail wide right as the kicking game broke down at the wrong times.

A week ago, the Tigers amassed only 200 yards in total offense, but picked up the tempo last night with 351 total yards. Both teams registered 21 first downs, but Cy Woods’ offense racked up 423 yards in total offense. Despite Consol making a couple of fourth-down stops on the Wildcats, the latter somehow found enough offensive magic to cross the end zone four times.

Defensive end Jimmie Gilbert of Consol turned in his second straight standout defensive game, intercepting two passes, returning one into the end zone on an 18-yard ramble with 8:32 to go in the third period, and the other pick came at the 8:31 mark of the third quarter. Zimmerman was perfect on all three of his extra-point kicks.

Gilbert wasn’t the only standout in a tough Consol defense. Also turner in stellar performances were Texas Tech bound tackle J.J. Bynum; end Fredrick Goodrum, junior tackle Christian LaCouture, and cornerback K.J. Dukes and linebacker David Levias.

Coach David Raffield and staff will work this coming week on eliminating mistakes, which included 11 penalties for 98 yards, and blocking in the kicking game, notably on field goal attempts.

Goodman recovered the game’s only fumble, a Wildcat miscue with 8:02 to go in the game.

Weston Garner, a junior, relieved Jacob Barnouski for much of the second half as the starting QB was held out as a precautionary measure after taking a lick from the Wildcat defense.

Barnouski found daylight right down the gut of the Wildcat defense with 5:26 left in the opening period to put Consol up 6-0. That run completed a 56-yard drive that needed just five plays. Zimmerman booted the point.

Cy Woods quarterback answered with 4:13 to go in the quarter on a seven-yard scoring pass to Gary Tesch, completing an 80-yard drive. Gustavo Rabadan kicked his first of three extra points, tying it 7-7.

Gilbert’s interception return and subsequent extra-point kick by Zimmerman put Consol up 14-7.

Gabe West zipped in from 20 yards out to tie it 14-14 after Ramadan’s kick with 2:07 left in the third period. It ended a 78-yard march.

Tailback Quinton White lofted a 35-yard scoring pass on a busted play to wide receiver Justin Benden for Consol. Zimmerman’s kick put Consol up 21-14. That was to be the Tigers’ final score.

West connected with Samuel Stewart on an 18-yard touchdown play and Ramadan’s kick deadlock it again at 21-21.

The clincher came when West slid over from the six with just 55 seconds left in the game.