2016 Play-offs round 5 - Allen vs The Woodlands

My video of this adventure:

I went to Darrell K. Royal Texas Memorial Stadium on the campus of the University of Texas, the home of the Longhorns.  This old stadium has seen a long list of great football games. For this game it played host to the Allen Eagles and the Woodlands Highlanders. 

Terry Gambill is in his first year as head coach of Allen.  He had been their Defensive Coordinator from 2001 to 2009, then took the head coaching job at Waco Midway.  The Eagles have a perfect 14-0 record this year.  In fact, they have won 70 of their last 71 games.  They were three time defending state champions with a 57 game winning streak before losing to Westlake in the Final Four in 2015.

Mark Schmid has been the coach of the Woodlands for thirteen seasons.  Before becoming head coach, he was the Highlanders’ Offensive Coordinator and Quarterback Coach for nine years.  The Woodlands also has a perfect 14-0 record this year.  They have made the play-offs every year under Coach Schmid, but have never made it to the state championship game.

The temperature was in the low 50s with an overcast sky.  Not much of a breeze and no forecast of rain.  The weather wasn’t a factor in the game.

Sixty-four teams started the play-offs four weeks ago.  Now we are down to four and these are two of the very best.  The winning team gets its ticket punched for a trip to Jerry’s World to play for the state championship.  The losing team today will have to buy their tickets to Jerry’s World or see the state championship game on TV.  Allen has been on a mission all year to get back what they lost to Westlake in 2015.  The Woodlands is hungry to make that trip to state for the very first time.  It should be a good one.

Part of my pre-game ritual is to eat barbecue.  Let me tell you about that barbecue. . .

The Barbecue

Black’s Barbecue is located at 3110 Guadalupe Street.  At least the Austin incarnation of Black’s is located just north of the UT campus.  The original Black’s opened up in Lockhart, thirty miles south of Austin, back in 1932.  That’s where their pits are and that’s where the actual cooking is done.  Barbecue is hand delivered to be served at their “outpost” in Austin every day.  That is one way to maintain consistency between restaurants.

I ordered my usual half pound of moist brisket, a couple of pork spare ribs, and their pecan cobbler.  The brisket had a nice bark and a deep smoky flavor.  Very moist and tender, but perhaps “too tender” if that is possible as it sometimes crumbled.  The ribs were meaty and full of flavor.  The meat easily pulled from the bone, but was just a wee bit chewy.  Their sauce was a typical sweet red sauce, but had no extra zing.  The pecan cobbler was excellent.

Black’s has a good sized dining area inside and another covered area out back for when the weather is nice.  Parking can get tricky at times.  The counter staff is very friendly.  While there are other joints in the Austin area serving better barbecue, Black’s barbecue is very tasty and it is a good place to take friends and family.

I give this barbecue a single Hook ‘Em. 

Special Note

Grant Milton played linebacker for the Woodlands.  In a play-off game in Waco on 27 Nov 2016, he sustained a serious head injury and had to be rushed to a local hospital for emergency surgery.  He remains in a medically induced coma, but has shown improvement each day.  His family listened to the game against Allen at his bedside and reported his vital signs spiked when the Highlanders fight song was played.  A GoFundMe page has been set up to help his family with medical expenses.  Many of the Woodlands fans wore a #21 jersey in his honor. 

The Game

Allen received the opening kick-off and began a march downfield.  Passes from quarterback Mitchell Jonke to Josh Cornell and runs by Brock Sturgess gave the Eagles a first down on the Woodlands 19.  The Highlanders defense stiffened and Allen was forced to attempt a field goal.  The 32 yard attempt was no good and the Woodlands took possession on their 20.

The Highlanders steadily moved downfield with a mixture of runs and short passes.  Kesean Carter went in motion, received a short “push pass” from quarterback Eric Schmid and ran through the Eagles defense for 28 yards to the Allen 14 yard line.  Two runs by Carlos Ramos put the ball in the end zone and the Woodlands on the scoreboard at 7-0.

Carlos Ramos scores for The Woodlands

Jonke tried to throw deep for Allen, but his pass was picked off by Ethan Bonner.  Schmid moved the chains on the ground and through the air, but the Highlanders were forced to kick a 39 yard field goal.  As the second quarter began, the Highlanders led 10-0.

After stopping the Woodlands on fourth and short, Kirby Bennett burst up the middle for good yardage.  Jonke connected with Cornell and Tevyn Stevenson to keep the chains moving.  Allen had first and goal on the 7 when the Highlanders defense stiffened once again.  The Eagles could only manage a 27 yard field goal to make the score 10-3.

The Woodlands returned the kick-off to the 18 yard line.  A run by Ramos picked up a first down on the 32.  Dylan Casey got behind the Eagles defense and Schmid hit him in stride for a 68 yard touchdown.  The extra point extended the Highlanders lead to 17-3.

Dylan Casey makes the catch for 68 yard touchdown

The Woodlands got the ball as the clock wound down in the second quarter.  Schmid hit Carter on the sideline to set up first and goal on the Eagles 9.  The Highlanders kicked a 24 yard field goal to end the first half with a 20-3 lead.

The Woodlands started the third quarter with the ball on their 25.  On their third play, Eric Schmid lofted the ball deep.  Kesean Carter ran past two defenders for the catch, then turned on the jets for a 72 yard touchdown.  The extra point was blocked, but the Highlanders led 26-3.

Kesean Carter beats the defenders for 72 yard touchdown

A nifty punt return by Carson Schleker gave Allen some momentum.  Mitchell Jonke found Theo Wease in the end zone for a 32 yard touchdown to make it 26-10.  The Eagles later added a field goal to make it 26-13.

Mitchell Jonke throws. . .

. . . Theo Wease makes the catch for a touchdown

Early in the fourth quarter, Schmid scrambled then passed to Casey for a first down.  Schmid found Carter on the 9, then threw to Cannon Tasker for an 8 yard touchdown.  The extra point pushed the score to 33-13.

Eric Schmid throws to Cannon Tasker for six

Jonke scrambled to make big first downs on a drive where the Eagles had to score.  Deep in Highlander territory, Jonke’s pass was almost intercepted, but caught by Josh Cornell on the 2.  Jonke ran it in to cut the lead to 33-20.

Allen tried an onsides kick, but it went out of bounds.  The Woodlands tried to eat up clock, but was forced to punt.  Schmid’s pooch punt was downed on the Allen 1 yard line.

The Eagles moved the ball out past their 20.  Jonke was sacked on third down and his arm was hit as he tried to pass on fourth down.  The Highlanders took possession, Allen burned up their time outs, and the Woodlands kicked a 30 yard field goal to extend their lead to 36-20 with 3:02 to play.

Jonke led Allen downfield on a desperation drive.  He threw a dart to Schleker for a first down on the Woodlands 12.  Jonke found Wease in the corner of the end zone for a touchdown, then passed to Stevenson for the two point conversion.  With 51 seconds left in their season, Allen cut the lead to 36-28.

Jonke connects with Wease for a touchdown

The Eagles only hope was an onsides kick, but it was recovered by the Woodlands.  They lined up in the victory formation to kill the clock and Allen’s season.  With the win, the Highlanders advance to their first state championship game where they will face Lake Travis.

Allen is to be congratulated for a tremendous season, but they ran into a Woodlands team that was hungrier.  The Eagles were dominated on both sides of the ball and fell into a big hole they could not climb out of.  Their rally came too late.

2016 Play-offs round 4 - Lake Travis vs Westlake

Here is the video of my adventure:

I went back to the Palace on Parmer, Kelley Reeves Athletic Complex to see the Battle of the Lakes.  The Lake Travis Cavaliers tangled with their district rival, the Westlake Chaparrals.  Hank Carter’s Cavaliers team has owned the Chaps, winning the last nine times they have met, including a 49-7 thumping back in October.  After dropping their opening game of the season to Converse Judson, Lake Travis has won 12 straight games and is ranked #6 in Texas 6A football.  Todd Dodge is the coach of Westlake.  The Chaparrals are on a six game winning streak since their loss to the Cavs in week seven.  That includes an overtime win over the same Converse Judson team in the second round of the play-offs.  Westlake comes into this game with an 11-2 record and is ranked #8. 

The weather in the Austin area had not been very good.  Raining here and there throughout the day, with temperatures in the 50s at game time.  The wind was out of the north and the temperatures were sure to fall as the night went on.

We’ve reached the Elite Eight.  Each team has three play-off games in the books.  Both teams made it to state last year, but each came up short (Westlake in 6A Division 1, Lake Travis in 6A Division 2).  Only one of them will advance after this game.  They have been on a collision course since October.  Can Lake Travis continue their dominance over Westlake?  Can the Chaps snap their losing streak to the Cavs and advance to the Final Four?  For Westlake, the road to Jerry’s World runs right through Lake Travis.  It should be a good one.

To get ready for this game, I ate some barbecue earlier in the day.  Let me take a moment to show you what I had.

The Barbecue

I have sampled most of the barbecue joints on the northwest side of Austin, so I headed south this time.  Brown’s BBQ is located at 1901 South Lamar in Austin.  They have a bright red food truck/trailer parked in front of the Corner Bar where West St. Mary and Hether streets cross Lamar.  The back end of the trailer houses their pit where the magic happens.  I had sampled their BBQ back in August (that’s Daniel slicing brisket in my video opening) and had to go back to make it official.  I am so glad that I did.

I ordered my standard half a pound of moist brisket and a couple of pork ribs.  The brisket was delicious – tender, juicy, with a great bark and a deep smoky flavor.  I could see wisps of steam rising off it as the nice lady cut my slices.  The ribs were big and meaty.  The meat bit easily off the bone, was loaded with flavor, and melted in my mouth.  I was given a small sample of their smoked turkey.  It too was superb.  Their sauce was a sweet red sauce, a nice compliment to the barbecue.

Brown’s BBQ is a no frills kind of place.  The barbecue is served “to go”, but there are some picnic tables if you can’t wait to dig in.  That staff is very friendly and righteously proud of their barbecue.  They show their passion for good food in everything they serve.  With the explosion of great BBQ joints in the Austin area, there are many places to choose from.  Brown’s BBQ has got to be listed among the very best.  And as an extra bonus, you don’t have to wait in line for hours to be served.  I rate this barbecue as two horns up. 

The Game

It rained off and on throughout the game, but this one was literally over before it even began.  Sam Ehlinger, the All Everything quarterback for Westlake, broke his right wrist in the previous game, a victory in the third round of the play-offs.  With Ehlinger in street clothes on the sidelines, Westlake rotated quarterbacks on nearly every offensive play.  Sam Saxton and Taylor Anderson never got into any kind of passing rhythm.  With virtually no aerial attack, the offensive burden fell to Nakia Watson.  He picked up yardage between the twenties (gaining 129 yards on 33 carries), but the Cavaliers defense stuffed him twice on fourth and short to end the two best drives of the night by the Chaparrals. 

The Westlake defense played like they were totally demoralized by the loss of Ehlinger.  Lake Travis quarterback Charlie Brewer carved them up like a Thanksgiving turkey.  On the Cavs first drive, Brewer connected with Cade Green for a 58 yard touchdown pass.  On their second drive, Carson Pepe caught a pass from Brewer, spun out of several attempted tackles and scored from 7 yards out.  Up 17-0 in the second quarter, Brewer scored on a four yard run.  The Cavs special teams even got in on the act when safety Michael Mast scored by recovering a bad snap that sailed over the head of the Chaps punter.  To add insult to injury, Westlake linebacker Levi Jones was ejected at the end of the half for his second personal foul.  Lake Travis went to the locker room up 30-0.

Cade Green opens the scoring with a 58 yard touchdown catch

Carson Pepe avoids a tackle to score from 7 yards out

Charlie Brewer dives into the end zone

Bad snap sails over Westlake's punter

No fiery halftime speech by Todd Dodge would turn this game around as it only got worse in the second half.  Charlie Brewer ran 65 yards then threw a touchdown pass to Cade Brewer.  Westlake managed a field goal late in the third quarter to avoid a shutout. 

Charlie Brewer starts the third quarter with a 65 yard run

Cade Brewer scores on a pass from Charlie Brewer

I said in my opening that these two teams had been on a collision course since October.  For Westlake, it was more of a train wreck as they fell 51-3, their tenth consecutive loss to Lake Travis and the worst in school history.  

Westlake battled injuries all season, with Ehlinger only playing in five games.  They are to be congratulated for making as deep a play-off run as they did.  Their biggest obstacle was the Lake Travis Cavaliers who now move on to the Final Four to face Atascocita.

News and Notes

There will be a lot of new faces at Jerry’s World this year.  Many of the teams that played at NRG Stadium in Houston last year will not be making the drive to Dallas this year.  Here is how the eight teams that played for the 5A and 6A state championships in 2015 are doing in the 2016 play-offs.

6A Division 1

Galena Park North Shore       won in 2015                lost to Atascocita 33-27 in fourth round

Westlake                                 lost in 2015                 lost to Lake Travis 51-3 in fourth round

6A Division 2

Katy                                        won in 2015                lost to Galena Park 20-17 in third round

Lake Travis                             lost in 2015                 still alive, to play Atascocita

5A Division 1

Richmond George Ranch       won in 2015                lost to Friendswood 42-21 in first round

Mansfiled Lake Ridge            lost in 2015                 lost to Highland Park 41-27 in third round

5A Division 2

Cedar Park                              won in 2015                lost to Manvel 47-35 in third round

Frisco Lone Star                     lost in 2015                 lost to Poteet 45-14 in third round

2016 Play-offs round 3 - Klein Collins vs Tyler

My video from this adventure. . .

Happy Thanksgiving.  I want to say thanks to my friends and family who help me and support me and prop me up every day.  I am so thankful for my son Ryan and my beautiful daughter Colleen who have enriched my life in countless ways.  They are healthy, happy, and safe.  You can’t ask for much more than that.  And of course my wife Nancy.  She is my rock, the wise counsel I seek, the shoulder that I cry on, my partner through the years.  I am so grateful she chose to share her life with me.  My life has been so incredibly blessed.

I went to Waco on the shores of the Brazos River to McLane Stadium on the campus of Baylor University.  The Tyler Lions faced off against the Klein Collins Tigers.  Both teams came into this game with identical 11-1 records.  Ricklan Holmes is in his fifth year as head coach of Tyler.  Their only loss was to Rockwall in the fourth week of the season when they fell 59-58.  I think both defenses stayed on the bus that night.  The Lions are currently ranked 11^th in 6A football.  Drew Swoboda has been at the helm of Klein Collins for the past 12 seasons.  They lost to Katy 50-49 in double overtime in week 2.  The Tigers enter this game ranked 12^th.

It was overcast with temperatures in the 50s at game time.  There had been a little rain in the area earlier in the day, but these were not going to let weather be a factor in this game.

This game is round three of the play-offs.  The Sweet Sixteen.  Tyler’s winning streak currently stands at 8.  Klein Collins’ winning streak stands at ten games.  Something has got to give.  A win moves your team into the Elite Eight.  Lose and you go home to clean out your locker because your season just ended.  It should be a good one.

I got to eat some barbecue in Waco earlier in the day.  Let me show you what I got. . .

The Barbecue

I had gotten recommendations for two barbecue joints in Waco.  When I drove by, it turns out each was locked up tight for the Thanksgiving holidays.  Ooops.  Fortunately, I had a backup plan.

I cruised over to 1600 Speight Ave (just off I-35) to Vitek’s BBQ.  I had sampled their wares last season during the play-offs (Round 5 – Allen vs Westlake) and thought the barbecue was decent, but not great.  I came away this time with a much better impression.  I ordered my usual half pound of moist brisket and a couple of pork ribs.  I think they miss weighed the brisket because I got closer to a full pound.  It had a nice bark and a deep smoke ring cooked into the meat. Tender and moist with a light smoky flavor.  The ribs were meaty and flavorful.  The meat was easy to bite off the bone.  They served a typical sauce – a little sweet with not much spicy kick.

Vitek’s has a large dining area inside and another large covered outdoor area out back.  With a full bar and lots of TVs showing football, it’s a big gathering area for friends and family.  I got a chance to speak with one of the pit masters.  He showed me the original black smoker they used for years and the two new industrial strength smokers they use now: one just for briskets and the other for pork and turkey. They smoke their meats using hickory wood.  He mentioned they now have a food truck they park at Magnolia Market (owned by Chip and Joanna Gaines).  Since that has become a major tourist attraction in Waco, they won’t lose any money with that decision.  I rate Vitek’s BBQ as a single Hook ‘Em.

The Game

Neither team could sustain a drive early in the game.  After a Klein Collins punt, Tyler had the ball deep in their red zone.  Quarterback Bryson Smith was sacked to set up third and long.  He scrambled to avoid the Tigers rush, then threw downfield to Cameron Grant.  Grant would have had first down yardage if he had only held onto the ball, but Tyler had to punt.

On first down, quarterback Brett Bridges lofted the ball deep to a wide open Quinton Newton.  The 35 yard touchdown pass made the score 7-0.

Quinton Newton catches a 35 yard touchdown pass

The Tigers were guilty of a face mask penalty on the kick-off so, the Lions started a drive from their 40.  A pass from Smith to Damion Miller gave Tyler a first down on the Klein Collins 38.  Following a short run, Smith overthrew Michael Givens and his pass was picked off by Cameron Godfrey to give the Tigers possession on their 22 yard line.  D’Anthony Doyle carried the ball on a toss sweep to the right for a first down on the 38.  On third and 8 from the 42, Smith threw a lateral pass to Newton who heaved the ball downfield.  Doyle was open behind the defense, made the catch, and outraced the defenders to the end zone.  With 0:14 left in the first quarter, Klein Collins was ahead 14-0.

Newton throws halfback pass. . .

. . . Doyle catches pass and beats defenders to score

Tyler took possession after the kick-off and drove to the Tigers 30.  The Lions lost yardage on second and third downs as Smith was sacked while trying to pass.  Tyler was forced to punt yet again. 

Klein Collins moved from their 15 to their 32.  Doyle took a toss sweep to the left and ran down the sideline for 50 yards.  Bridges threw to Newton to give the Tigers first and goal from the 9.  Josh Powell plowed his way up the middle for a touchdown.  The extra point extended the lead to 21-0.

Josh Powell scores on a 9 yard run up the middle

After a short sky kick, Tyler started on their 32.  Smith threw over the middle to Givens who broke a tackle for a gain to the Klein Collins 48.  Smith carried around right end for a gain to the 38 yard line.  After two incomplete passes, Smith lofted the ball deep.  Miller had beaten the defender and the pass hit him right in the hands, but he dropped the sure touchdown.  Once again, the Lions were forced to punt.

The Tigers started from their 20 after the Lions punt went into the end zone.  As time was winding down in the second quarter, Tyler needed to make a stop.  They could not afford to let Klein Collins score again before halftime.  The Lions needed to get the ball back and score.  They would get the ball to start the third quarter.  If they could score then, they could be back in the ball game.  Klein Collins picked up a first down, but Tyler got the stop they needed when they tackled Doyle short on third down.  The Tigers punt was only good for 20 yards and the Lions took over on their 40 yard line.  On third down, Smith scrambled then threw downfield to Givens.  He got a block from Keandre Street and scored on a 59 yard play.  The extra point was blocked and almost returned for points by the Tigers.  With 1:50 left in the second quarter, Tyler was on the scoreboard at 21-6.

Michael Givens scores on 59 yard catch and run

Klein Collins took possession on their 30.  Runs by Doyle moved the ball to the Tyler 37.  With 0:21 to play, Bridges threw deep to Jaylon Johnson.  He caught the ball in stride on the 4 and scored easily.  The Tigers went into the locker room at half time ahead 28-6.

Jaylon Johnson catches touchdown pass just before halftime

Tyler received the opening kick of the third quarter and returned it to their 27.  On their first play, Bryson Smith scrambled up the middle.  He was stripped of the ball and Klein Collins recovered on the 29.  D’Anthony Doyle carried the ball six straight times, scoring a touchdown from three yards out on the last carry.  At 9:06 in the third quarter, the Tigers were up 35-6. 

With that score, the game was effectively over.  D’Anthony Doyle scored again on a 2 yard run to push the lead to 42-6.  Bryson Smith scored for Tyler on a 17 yard run in the fourth quarter and made a two point conversion to move the score to 42-14.  But Klein Collins would score twice more in the fourth quarter (a 6 yard run by Isaiah Spiller and a 54 yard run by Josh Powell).  They won in a romp, 56-14.

Congratulations to the Tyler Lions for a good season that saw them reach the Sweet Sixteen.  They simply made too many mistakes against a strong and disciplined Klein Collins team.  With the win, the Tigers advance to the Elite Eight where they will face Westfield next week.

News and Notes

There will be some new state champions crowned this year as some of last year’s winners have been eliminated from the play-offs.

6A Division 1

Galena Park North Shore        20

Katy                                        17

Katy had played for the state championship each of the last four years, winning in 2012 and 2015.

5A Division 1

Manvel                                    47

Cedar Park                              35

Cedar Park had their 28 game winning streak snapped.