Everman drops playoff opener, Bulldogs coach to retire

Waxahachie 58, Everman 21

Waxahachie scored on its first play from scrimmage and never looked back in a Class 5A Division II bi-district win at the Midlothian Multipurpose Stadium on Friday. After Bryse Salik hit Demani Richardson with a 68-yard touchdown pass to open the game, the Indians’ Jerreth Sterns converted his first of two consecutive interceptions into an 80-yard pick six. Tyler Cash would collect a third interception for the Indians. Everman avoided the shutout when Mi’kel Madden scored on a 6-yard run in the third quarter. He scored again on a one-yarder in the fourth.

Key players: Salik passed for four scores for Waxahachie and had 233 yards on 13-of-16 passing. Sterns, to add to his two interceptions and a score, also rushed five times for 30 yards. Keshawn Anderson was the leading receiver with five catches for 53 yards and a score. J.T. Clark caught two passes for 44 yards, including a touchdown pass from Juan Davis.

Key stat: The game was the last for coach Dale Keeling, who is retiring after 20 years at Everman. Keeling guided the Bulldogs to back-to-back UIL football state titles in 2001 and 2002. Everman went to the state semifinals on three different occasions and the state quarterfinals three more times.

Records: Waxahachie 7-4, Everman 7-4

This story was originally published November 18, 2017 at 12:30 AM with the headline "Everman drops playoff opener, Bulldogs coach to retire."