It was the season opener, but A&M Consolidated’s 44-41 win at Copperas Cove might have been the game of the year.
The wild contest got its wildest in the final 38 seconds, the point where the Tigers tied the contest, but the Bulldawgs drove immediately into field goal range and regained the lead with a second remaining.
“I told the kids as long as there is time on the clock we were still in the game,” A&M Consolidated coach David Raffield said. “I told the return team to keep the play alive and always pitch the ball backwards.”
Twice was enough to get the ball into the hands of junior all-purpose performer Derrick Dick.
“They tried a squib kick and Luke Benden tossed the ball back toward Brandon Jackson and he went left and thought he had the sidelines,” Raffield said. “He got trapped and pitched it back to Derrick Dick who started left, circled around [like a point guard driving and turning back out] then a wall formed on the left-hand side with K.J. Dukes, Brandon Jackson and Daniel Zivney, and they led Derrick to the goal line.
“Awesome finish.”
In a game that had 23 points scored in a 77-second span at the end, it was a remarkable way to start the season at 1-0, at the home of a respected and always-competitive rival.
“Kids learned to trust and compete to the very end,” Raffield said. “The joy in the kids faces where straight gifts from God. Great way to start the season.”
As of Sunday, it was a memory shared with many.
“The YouTube video has over 89,000 hits,” Raffield said.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=9QoDivtKCjM
A&M Consolidated hosts Midway Friday. The Panthers defeated Bryan, 38-7.
The Tigers’ stunning finish didn’t steal much luster from College Station, which claimed its first victory over a varsity team in its brief school history.
College Station won 45-14 in its home opener over 2A Division II’s Schulenburg Shorthorns.
Cole Whittlesey completed six of 10 passes for 190 yards and two touchdowns and also rushed for 45 yards, part of a 261-yard rushing effort by the Cougars.
The Cougars will aim for 2-0 at Waco on Friday against Reicher, which upset 3A Gatesville, 19-8.
Sophomore Charles Glover caught three passes for 127 yards and two touchdowns.
Special teams mistakes and a fumble that was returned for a score put Bryan in a hole against Midway, and the Panthers claimed a 38-7 win over the Vikings.
Bryan’s expected improvement in both lines was apparent, but Midway still pulled away early, thanks to a safety, long field goal and a punt return. The Panthers built a 19-0 lead before scoring an offensive touchdown.
Two-way performer Keekee Johnson scored on a 61-yard touchdown run for the Vikings.
Magnolia will be at Merrill Green Stadium to meet the Vikings Friday. Magnolia fell to Galena Park, 43-21.
There were few highlights for the Rudder Rangers, who lost to Elgin at Merrill Green Stadium, 49-3. Elgin had a three-game playoff run in Class 4A last season.
Te’Rel Simmons rushed for three Elgin scores and his brother Da’trean also has three rushing TDs.
Senior Anthony Veal had the best night for Rudder running the football, gaining 63 yards on 12 carries.
Spencer Choka had nine tackles, including one for a loss, to lead the Rangers defensively.
Rudder is on the road to play 3A Division I state finalist El Campo this week.
Story by Dave Campbell /brazossports.com