Azle routs Justin Northwest in Wednesday matinee, holds down second in district play
Azle scored on eight of its first nine possessions and dominated from start to finish as the Hornets defeated Justin Northwest, 52-14, in a key District 3-5A Division 1 showdown Wednesday afternoon.
The Hornets hold down second place at 4-1 in district and 6-2 overall with one week left in the regular season. They will play twice next week with a home game vs. FW Arlington Heights on Monday and then travel to Crowley on Saturday Dec. 5. The Texans fall to 4-2 in district and 6-3 overall. They will play Heights at home on Dec. 5.
Azle got out to a 21-0 lead in the first quarter when Jacob Lee ran in a 6-yard TD with 10:38 left. He caught a 44-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Chris Lee midway through the period.
“We got blocks and lined up perfectly,” said Jacob Lee, who had 172 yards on 18 carries. “Our goal on offense is to roll quick. We were focused because it was a big game.”
The second score was set up on a fumble recovery by David Avelar. Barrett Gilbreath stripped the ball on a Northwest third-down play. Following Jacob Lee’s second score, Isaiah Fuller picked off his first of two pass attempts on the day.
The turnover set up Azle’s third TD of the frame, an 8-yard run by Chris Lee with 4:05 on the clock.
“All practice long, we practiced tempo. We knew Northwest couldn’t keep up with us so it was definitely a great taste to get the win on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving,” said Chris Lee, who had 60 yards on 13 carries and 158 yards passing.
Northwest, which scored 73 points in its previous game, answered with 14-play, 64-yard drive. The Texans pulled within 21-7 early in the second quarter on a 3-yard run from QB Jake Strong.
The Texans added their second score late in the fourth when Strong hit Weldon Sherrell on a 15-yard pass.
After a Northwest punt, Azle extended its lead to 27-7 midway through the second quarter on a 60-yard run from Jacob Lee. Chris Lee hit Kaden Taylor on a 27-yard scoring pass to make it 35-7 with 1:24 left before intermission.
“The offense has been clicking all year so it’s no surprise,” Chris Lee said.
The ensuing Northwest drive was stalled at the Azle 20 when Bernock Iya picked off a pass to end the half.
Caleb Balderas hit a 39-yard field goal to push the Hornet lead to 38-7 in the third quarter. Billy Heath took a misdirection 49 yards for an Azle TD with under three minutes to go in the period.
Fuller picked off his second pass to set up a 12-play, 71-yard drive for Azle’s final score, a 1-yard run by Heath with 9:35 left in the fourth. Heath accounted for 96 yards and two scores.
“I’m really impressed with our defense. We played so well, I don’t think I could be more proud of them,” Fuller said.
Azle out-gained Northwest 497-357 in total yards. The Hornets rushed for 339 yards on 45 carries.
Strong threw for 192 yards for the Texans while Kyndel Sims had 98 yards on 16 carries. Sherrell led all receivers with 102 yards and a touchdown on 10 receptions.
“Northwest is a really good offensive football team, scoring 50, 60 points so holding them to 14, I’m really proud of our defense and their effort,” Azle coach Devon Dorris said.
This story was originally published November 25, 2020 at 2:18 PM.
