Arlington football prevails against Arlington Lamar, improves playoff chances

ARLINGTON – Arlington prevailed, 45-19, over Arlington Lamar in a wild and reckless contest at Cravens Field Friday night.

The game was marked by big improbable plays that seemed to come suddenly out of nowhere. Touchdowns were scored directly by a kickoff return, a pass from a wide receiver and two interceptions. The game also featured a blocked PAT attempt that was returned for two points. A blocked punt also led to a touchdown.

The game being unconventional and unpredictable quickly became evident from the outset. Each team scored a touchdown less than a half minute into the contest.

First Keyon House for Arlington (3-5, 2-2 District 8-6A) took it to the house returning the opening kickoff 94 yards for a touchdown.

Lamar (also 3-5, 2-2) duly replied with a 75-yard touchdown pass from receiver Trenton Yancey to Jesse Little. The play completely fooled the Arlington secondary. Little was wide open when he caught it at about the Arlington 45-yard line and ran the rest of the distance for the equalizer.

Both teams settled down a little, but not much. Joe Nelson kicked a 29-yard field goal. It gave the Colts the lead for good, 10-7, with 8:34 left in the first quarter.

Moments later, still only midway in the first quarter, Dallas Williams stretched it to 17-7 when he intercepted and somehow maneuvered though a crowd of Viking players, getting interference from alert teammates for a 29-yard touchdown return.

It became 23-7 in the second quarter shortly after a blocked punt from the Lamar 25 was recovered by Arlington at the 5-yard line. From there, it took four plays, but eventually Drelon Burton scored from the 1 on fourth-and-goal.

On the opening drive of the second half, Lamar finally got back on the scoreboard with a 77-yard, eight-play drive capped by Deante Gentry’s 2-yard run. The touchdown was set up on the previous play by a spectacular catch from Yancey for 23 yards.

Despite tight coverage, the freshman leaped up and fell backwards maintaining control and keeping his feet in before falling backwards out of bounds near the left pylon. It made the score, 23-13, Arlington after the run failed on an attempted two-point conversion.

After forcing a three-and-out, Lamar got the ball back but at its’ 8-yard line after a penalty. On the first play from scrimmage, Philip Conley sniffed out the play, intercepting in the backfield on an attempted pass into the left flank. He returned it 3 yards for a touchdown, giving Arlington a 30-13 lead.

Lamar, though, refused to go away. Less than a minute later still in the third quarter on the second play from scrimmage, Gentry went right and down the sideline a 65-yard scoring touchdown. However, the ensuing extra point kick was blocked and returned by Cameron Brasher for two points the other way. It made the score, 32-19, Arlington.

Arlington went on to score two more touchdowns, 5 and 14-yard runs by Burton, in the fourth quarter to put the game away. Both scores came after failed fourth down conversions from Lamar.

The first was after an incomplete pass on fourth-and-four from the Lamar 26-yard line. The second was the result of a tackle on the running back in the backfield on an attempted sweep right by sophomore Troy McDaniel on fourth-and-one from the Arlington 44-yard line. McDaniel dropped him for a 4-yard loss.

Arlington Coach Scott Peach was impressed with his team’s output particularly on defense and special teams.

“This is a big step for us in the playoff picture,” he said. “It took a while to find our formula, but we finally found it. Defensively, we’re playing outstanding. We gave up the big play, their first play, but other than that, we played unbelievable all night. The second deal is our special teams were incredible.”

Players he cited as having a standout game were mostly on defense. This included Conley and Williams who both had pick-sixes, and linemen Jarvis Austin and Frank Rodgers. He called Nelson one of the best kickers in the state.

“Offensively, we got a long way to go, but a short time to get there,” he continued. “But we ran the ball at a really high level tonight and that was the difference in the ball game.”

Tailback Burton, he said, “took the ball, put it on his back, and won the game for us.”

The senior workhorse finished with 162 yards on 30 carries and three touchdowns. Little caught four for 94 yards and a touchdown while teammate Yancey had six catches for 57 yards.

Gentry rushed 16 times for 123 yards and two touchdowns. Quarterback Gannon Carey was 15-33-3 for 118 yards.

Lamar hurt itself with penalties. The Vikings were flagged 12 times for 114 yards while Arlington was five for 55 yards.

Arlington next hosts Arlington Martin at 7 p.m. CT, Friday. Lamar will be away against Arlington Bowie at 7 p.m. CT Thursday.