Stephenville demonstrates its unwillingness to lose

By Jarret Johnson

jmjohnson@star-telegram.com

In a game that featured offensive fireworks to the tune of 95 combined points, it was the Stephenville Yellow Jackets' defense and special teams that stepped up and made huge plays in the closing seconds to preserve a 48-47 upset win over the Aledo Bearcats on Friday.

The Yellow Jackets stopped Aledo's heralded running back, Johnathan Gray, on a 2-point conversion run that would have given the Bearcats the lead with just 1:26 left to play, recovered an onside kick and then blocked two field goals in consecutive plays in the last five seconds.

"Obviously with a win like that you try and build on it," Stephenville coach Joseph Gillespie said. "They've been a nemesis and kind of a thorn in my side. We had lost the last five games to them up until Friday night. They're a great football team but our kids kept playing and it's a great teaching tool for football and life."

As Aledo lined up for the shot at a game-winning field goal, it appeared that the two-time defending state champs were going to squeak out a win and pad their 29-game winning streak. Stephenville junior cornerback Preston Brown blocked the kick but the Yellow Jackets were flagged for roughing the kicker, giving the Bearcats another shot with no time on the clock.

"I was thinking that this would be a bad way to lose the game -- there's zero time on the clock and we had blocked the kick," Gillespie said. "The only thing I had to do then was gather my guys and tell them that they did it once, they have to do it again."

When senior linebacker Padyn Diebler blocked Aledo's second field-goal attempt, it was finally time for the Yellow Jacket nation to celebrate.

The win moved Stephenville into The Associated Press state poll at No. 4 in Class 4A, while Aledo dropped from the top spot to No. 7.

Thoroughbreds

It looks as if the Arlington Colts are going to have no problem putting up points this season. They rolled up an area-best 631 total yards of offense, needing every bit in a 49-42 overtime victory over Plano East.

Arlington's balanced attack was spearheaded by senior quarterback Josh Greer, who threw for 444 yards and four touchdowns, including the game-winner to receiver Calvin Parker from 25 yards out in the extra period. Parker finished with 10 catches for 189 yards and the score.

Colts running back Tavarreon Dickerson gashed Plano East for 184 rushing yards and two TDs. Dickerson also scored on a 3-yard run with no time remaining to send the game to overtime.

In good hands

Southlake Carroll coach Hal Wasson said that several Dragons quarterbacks from the past such as Chase Daniel and Greg McElroy came back to campus during the off-season and spoke with current signal caller Kenny Hill about the position, system and program.

If Friday's season-opening, 38-31 comeback triumph over highly rated Copperas Cove is any indication, then they need not worry.

Trailing 31-24 heading into the fourth, Hill led a pair of scoring drives to seal the win. Hill put up 387 yards and four TDs through the air, and added 43 yards and the game-clinching score on the ground. The Dragons are in the top 10 for the first time since 2009.

Raiders roll

The L.D. Bell Blue Raiders offense dismantled Mansfield Legacy's defense en route to a 63-9 win.

Raiders quarterback Kyle Romano ran for 88 yards and six touchdowns and threw for another 221 yards. Bell, which led 35-9 at the half, outgained Legacy 548-282 in total offense.

The Raiders' offensive line, with an average size of 6-foot-3, 288 pounds, powered the offense to 327 yards on the ground and helped four Bell rushers gain at least 50 yards.

This is Centennial

The Burleson Centennial Spartans won the school's first varsity football game in impressive fashion.

After allowing Dallas Hillcrest to jump out to a 6-0 lead, the Spartans dominated by scoring the last 34 points in the contest.

Running back DeMarcus Williams led the way with 204 yards rushing and two touchdowns on 23 carries. Burleson Centennial's defense was stingy, allowing just 33 yards on the ground on 35 carries for a 0.94 yard-per-carry average and 86 yards of total offense.

Jarret Johnson, 817-390-7760

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