Arlington shuts down Keller Fossil Ridge offense to win 27-13
Arlington took home a Class 6A bi-district trophy Friday by putting one of the area’s best offenses in a lock box.
The Colts knocked off previously unbeaten Keller Fossil Ridge by holding the Panthers to 26 points and almost 100 yards below their season averages in a 27-13 Division II Region I victory at Keller ISD Athletic Complex.
Arlington’s offense was held steady by the usual fellas.
Running back Kenland McCray rushed for 156 yards and two touchdowns, both in the Colts’ 20-0 start.
Quarterback D’Montae Davis had 109 yards on 16 carries as part of the Colts’ 299 yards on the ground. Davis also had a 15-yard scoring pass to Jahari Rodgers in the second quarter to cap a drive that lasted more than five minutes.
The victory was Arlington’s 13th in the bi-district round since 1987. This is Arlington’s 30th playoff appearance, dating to 1938.
“Our defense was phenomenal,” Arlington coach Scott Peach said. “We took away the things they wanted to do. Thirteen points against Fossil Ridge was a tremendous accomplishment for our kids.”
The Colts (9-2) advance to the area round where they will play El Paso Montwood at 4 p.m. Nov. 25 at Odessa’s Ratliff Stadium.
The Panthers, District 3-6A’s champions, finished the season 10-1.
They were unable to uncork their three playmakers on offense.
Running back Colione Evans was limited to 17 yards on 13 carries, and receiver Stefan Cobbs had five catches for 56 yards, all in the second half.
Quarterback Cobe Craft did not play in the second half because of an apparent injury. He was replaced by Scottie Colis, who passed for 182 yards and a touchdown to Travis Newell.
The Colts’ victory was the last of a District 4-6A sweep of 3-6A in four games in Division I and II. Arlington Martin and Arlington Lamar in Division I and Arlington and Mansfield in Division II all won.
Peach said his team had been battle-tested in a district that included Mansfield and Martin, and a nondistrict schedule that included South Grand Prairie and Southlake Carroll.
“District 4-6A was an outstanding district. We knew that as we battled through it,” Peach said. “We were battle-tested going in, and that’s because of the district we came from.”
After punting on the first possession of the game, the Colts got to work, scoring 20 straight points.
McCray scored the first of his two first-half touchdowns, 35 yards through the middle of Fossil Ridge’s defense.
Rodgers’ 15-yard touchdown reception from Davis on third and 14 capped a 5:25 minute drive. McCray’s second touchdown upped the Colts’ lead to 20-0.
Fossil Ridge was held to 27 yards deep into the second quarter, but at the 5:14 mark, the Panthers put something together, driving 75 yards and scoring on Andrew Ramos’ eight-yard scoring run.
“We’ve got a great defense,” McCray said. “They stop everything. Everything you give them, they’re going to stop.”
This story was originally published November 17, 2017 at 11:39 PM with the headline "Arlington shuts down Keller Fossil Ridge offense to win 27-13."