H. S. Football: Shakeup in Texas
Written by playerpress.com, Monday December 08 2008
The seemingly indestructible Trinity team was defeated in Irving TX on Saturday ending their reign. Allen pulled off the upset with a dominating 34-21 victory that toppled the current #1 ranked team from Euless, TX.
In a regular season match up Trinity had dominated Allen. Their defensive prowess caused three turnovers and their offense took advantage of each of those gifts. Allen knew they would have to be mistake free to defeat their powerful foes and they rose to the occasion.
This time they capitalized on a fumble, recorded no turnovers and scored a special teams TD as they kept Trinity on their heels and withstood a second half comeback attempt by the reigning divisional champs.
Knowing they were facing the #1 team in the nation psyched the kids from Allen up and they never lost their composure or felt intimidated in the presence of their foe. Realizing that Trinity favors the ground game; Allen took an early lead and forced their opponents to alter their game plan. This was a most unwelcome change of pace for the #1 school.
The disruption in the Trinity game plan also yielded two interceptions for 13-1 Allen. The winners were so efficient that they scored on all but one of their possessions. They recorded three TD’s, 2 Field Goals and did not have to punt until there was under three minutes remaining in the game.
QB Tucker Carter led his offense by completing 16 of 18 passes for 142 yds and 2 TD’s. RB Jeremiah Williams had 26 rushes for 180 yds and was instrumental in the opening drive that went 74 yds in 11 plays and resulted in the first TD.
Trinity QB Denarius McGhee attempted to bring his team back and managed two second half TD’s, but Allen’s DB’s were exceptional in their coverage and the defense stopped any hope of a comeback with two late interceptions.
Allen will face a Round Rock team that defeated Skyline to make the regional finals.
Currently sitting at #2 in the USA Today rankings St. Thomas Aquinas of Ft. Lauderdale could see themselves rise to #1 after their Friday night massacre of South Fork. St. Thomas Aquinas racked up a 56-14 win that has secured them a spot in the Semis against Largo.
The lopsided score is indicative of their style of play as they went into Friday’s game having scored a total of 548 points while surrendering a mere 82. Their 13-0 record is only enhanced by the way they have scored at will while stopping their opponents’ cold in their tracks.
St. Thomas Aquinas is heavily favored in the semis since Largo is not ranked in the national Top 25. The smart money is on Aquinas advancing and meeting Lakeland in the Finals. The 8th ranked Lakeland team will face unranked Pine Forest in the other semi match up.
The disparity in points, coupled with the upset to Trinity should be enough to boost St. Thomas Aquinas to the #1 position and a title is certainly within their reach. However, they would be wise to remember what happened to Trinity before assuming the Championship is theirs.
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