2016 Week Four - Rouse vs Cedar Park

My video of this week's adventure:

I went to A.C. Bible Memorial Stadium in Leander where the Rouse Raiders hosted the Cedar Park Timberwolves in a District 19-5A game.  This stadium was once known as Barrett Stadium in Odessa and was the stadium featured in H. G. “Buzz” Bissinger’s classic book Friday Night Lights.  The stadium was built in 1947.  In 1981, the decision was made to build a larger stadium in Odessa.  Barrett Stadium was disassembled and the pieces put into storage.  In 1985, Leander decided they needed a new stadium due to large growth in the area.  They bought the components of Barrett Stadium and had them trucked 300 miles to Leander.  That is recycling at its best.

Rouse entered the game with a 2-1 record.  They are coached by Joshua Mann.  Their one loss was to Round Rock Westwood, but they were 1-0 in district play.  Carl Abseck brought in a Timberwolves team with a perfect 4-0 record for the season.  Cedar Park was riding a twenty game winning streak and are the defending 5A Division 2 state champions, currently ranked #5 in Texas 5A football. The teams were tied for the lead in their district.

Before the game, I stopped off at Bigcat BBQ to sample their wares.

The Barbecue

Big Cat BBQ is located at 401 Whitestone Blvd in Cedar Park.  I had called ahead earlier in the day and the friendly staff was busy putting together my order when I walked in.  In addition to the moist brisket and pork ribs, they gave me generous helpings of pickles, onions, jalapenos, and sauce. 

The brisket was very juicy and tender, but a little fatty.  It had a good smoky flavor, but the slices I got did not have any bark.  The pork ribs were a bit chewy, but had a sweet glaze that was very tasty.  Their sauce was sweet and spicy and was an excellent compliment to the brisket.

Big Cat is a friendly place that serves good barbecue.  I believe they smoke their meats in a gas fired smoker rather than the big pits found at other barbecue joints.  While there are better places in the Austin area, the barbecue served at Big Cat is definitely better than what is served at some of the “fast food” BBQ joints in the area.  If I were in the Leander/Cedar Park area, I would take friends and family to eat at Big Cat.  My rating of this barbecue: one Hook ‘Em.

The Game

Cedar Park received the opening kick-off to begin the game.  They were unable to pick up a first down.  A short punt into the wind gave Rouse the ball on the Timberwolves 35.  This might have been the deepest penetration into Cedar Park territory the Raiders would make in the game and  they promptly started moving backwards with penalties and tackles for loss.  The Raider punt went into the end zone for a touchback.

The referees incorrectly gave Cedar Park the ball on their 25.  Touchback punts are placed on the 20, touchback kick-offs are spotted on the 25.  Either way, it took the T’wolves just two plays to score.  They picked up 35 yards on a wide receiver screen to Hayden Craig.  Omar Alzer burst through a big hole in the Raider defense and went 40 yards for the score to make it 7-0.

Hayden Craig picks up 35 yards on a wide receiver screen pass

Later in the first quarter, the Timberwolves started on their own 35 after a raider punt.  Quarterback Mak Sexton found Payden Sawicki open on a slant pattern over the middle for a big gain.  Tyler Lavine capped off the drive with a 11 yard touchdown run to extend the lead to 14-0.  The Timberwolves took that fourteen point lead into the locker room at half time.

The Raiders started the third quarter on their 25 after the kick-off sailed into the end zone.  They picked up a couple of first downs, then started going backwards again.  Quarterback Gavin Sharp ran to the 47 to set up third and 9.  The center snapped the ball over Sharp’s head and he was tackled for a huge loss.  The punt set up Cedar Park on the Raider 45.

Gavin Sharp runs for a Raider first down

The T’wolves picked up a first down on the 34.  On second down, Sexton’s pass was almost intercepted and could possibly have been returned for a quick six.  Cedar Park went for it on fourth and 10.  Sexton lofted the ball deep for Daniel Rosenthal in the end zone.  The extra point kick was blocked.  With 6:58 to play in the third quarter, Cedar Park led 20-0.

Daniel Rosenthal catches a TD pass from Mak Sexton

The Raiders started their next possession on the 25 after a touchback.  They went three and out and were forced to punt.  This time the ball was snapped over the punter’s head.  He was tackled in the end zone by Tyler Lavine for a safety.  The T’wolves were up 22-0 with 6:38 remaining in the third quarter.

Cedar Park returned the free kick to midfield.  They were unable to move the ball and lined up to punt on fourth and 10.  Instead of kicking, the punter took off around end and picked up a big first down.  The Raiders were guilty of a face mask penalty on the play which put the ball on the Rouse 12 yard line.  Two runs by Hayden Craig extended the lead to 29-0.

The T’wolves started a drive from their 21 as the fourth quarter opened.  The moved into Raider territory, but faced fourth and 21.  Sexton’s pass was intercepted on the Raider 2.  On second down, the Rouse center once again snapped the ball over Sharp’s head.  He chased the ball down in the end zone and tried to pass to avoid a sack, but was called for intentional grounding.  The offensive penalty in the end zone was ruled a safety which made the score 31-0.  The teams traded possessions as the clock wound down to zero.

Rouse had averaged 49 points in their first three games, but they were suffocated by the Cedar Park defense.  The Raiders offense never got untracked, slowing themselves down with costly penalties and mistakes (dropped passes, dropped interceptions, etc.).  Two bad snaps by the Raider center led to safties and four points for Cedar Park.

The Cedar Park offense was not very special in this game, committing two fumbles and giving up an interception.  They ran the ball for 246 combined yards and Sexton threw for another 132 yards, but he has performed better.  The story of the game was the Timberwolve defense.  They were spectacular.  In five games, the Timberwolves have pitched three shut outs.  With the win, Cedar Park extended their winning streak to 21 games and are in first place on the District 19-5A leader board.

2016 Week Three - Temple vs Cedar Ridge

Attached is the video of this adventure:

I went to Wildcat Stadium in Temple, Texas for the game between Temple and Cedar Ridge.  The Wildcats were 2-1, having lost their last game 26-20 to Waco Midway.  Coach Scott Stewart’s team is currently ranked #6 in Texas 5A football.  He is in his first year as the head coach of Temple, having served as defensive coordinator the past two season under coach Mike Spradlin.

Coach Shawn Bell is in his first year at Cedar Ridge and brought in a team with a 3-0 record.  The Raiders are currently ranked #19 in 6A football and are leading in their district.  They went 10-2 last year under coach Todd Ford and are hoping for more this year.

This wass a non-district game between two teams who think they can make it to Jerry’s World in December.  I stopped off in Belton for some BBQ earlier today.  Let me tell you about it.

The Barbecue

So if I’m going to be in the Temple/Belton area, then I need to find a barbecue joint.  I got on the google and up popped a list of possibilities.  One that caught my eye was Miller’sSmokehouse in Belton.  They were rated #11 in one of the Texas Monthly lists of the top 50 barbecue places in the state.  Sounds good to me, let’s give it a try.

Located at 208 North Penelope Street, Miller’s is a classic Texas dive: simple and unpretentious.  Out back is an array of pits where the sweet alchemy of heat, smoke, and time do incredible things to meat.  Their moist brisket was fabulous: great bark, deep smoky flavor, tender and juicy.  The pork ribs were also excellent.  Meaty, rich smoky flavor, and a peppery bark that added an extra zing.  They had two kinds of sauces on the table, a sweet, ketchup based sauce and a thinner, but spicier, vinegar based sauce.  These were both good, but totally not needed, just a nice compliment to the barbecue.

Moist and tender brisket

Peppery bark added an extra zing

Service was a little slow, but that gave me time to interact with their friendly staff.  I had a wonderful conversation with a gentleman named Armando. As a member of the Texas BBQ Brotherhood, he was quick to recommend other barbecue joints and gave me tremendous insights on some of the various places in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area.  Armando and the staff can be rightfully proud of the barbecue served at Miller’s.  I give them my highest rating: two Hook ‘Ems!

Armando of Miller's Smokehouse

The Game

Temple received the opening kick-off.  They went three and out and had to punt.  Cedar Ridge started on their 40 yard line.  The moved into Wildcat territory, with a first down on the 28.  They were pushed back 15 yards due to a penalty.  Quarterback Garrett Sharp ran for 13.  On third and 10, running back CJ Rittenhouse picked up the first down on the Temple 11.  On the next play, Rittenhouse scored to make it 7-0 at the 7:11 mark in the first quarter.

The teams traded possessions.  After intercepting a long pass, Cedar Ridge had a first down on their 22.  Sharp made some good runs and passes to move the Raiders past midfield.  A personal foul on Temple gave Cedar Ridge a first down on the 36. Needing five yards on fourth down, Sharp connected with Grant McCartney for a first down.  Sharp ran to the 5 for first and goal as the first quarter ended.  Rittenhouse carried down to the two, then Sharp scored on a quarterback sneak to extend the lead to 14-0.

Temple returned the ensuing kick-off to their 32.  Jemiyah Franklin busted through the Cedar Ridge defense on a 68 yard scoring run.  The extra point cut the lead in half at 14-7 with 11:29 to play in the second quarter.

Cedar Ridge returned the kick-off to the 28 and moved to the 40.  Sharp hit tight end David Walker over the middle.  As the big guy rumbled down the field, Temple safety Ben Norman tomahawked the ball out of Walker’s hands.  Temple recovered the fumble on their four yard line.

The Wildcats picked up a first down to get of the shadows of their own goal posts.  On third and 6, Reid Hesse dropped off a pass to Franklin who broke down the sideline for a big gain.  The penalty for a horse collar tackle added fifteen yards to the play.  Temple moved into the Raiders red zone.  Facing fourth and 3, Hesse was sacked and Temple turned the ball over on downs.

Cedar Ridge drove the ball into Temple territory.  Sharp ran to his right, then cut back to pick up a first down on third and three.  Jaylen Ellis scored on a jet sweep, but the touchdown was negated by a holding penalty.  The Raiders then started moving backwards.  A collision in the backfield lost five yards.  Sharp threw long on third and 25, but the pass swatted away in the end zone.  The Raiders pooch kick traveled seven yards.

With less than a minute left before half time, Temple started from their 30.  Hesse completed several passes to D’yonte Heckstall to move the Wildcats.  After picking up a first down on the Raider 18, Temple attempted a 35 yard field goal with four seconds left.  The kick was no good and the half ended with the Raiders in control at 14-7.

On the kick-off to start the third quarter, a Temple player was called for an unsportsmanlike penalty and ejected from the game.  When the penalty yardage was added to the end of the return, Cedar Ridge started from the Wildcat 36.  The Raiders used the same formula that had been successful in the first half: pound the Temple defense with runs by CJ Rittenhouse.  He scored from 10 yards out to make the score 21-7. 

After the two teams traded possessions, Temple began a drive from their 25 yard line.  Alternating carries between Jemiyah Franklin and Jy’quez Webster and passes from Hesse, the Wildcats drove deep into Raider territory.  Franklin scored on a nifty run from 14 yards out.  The extra point closed the gap to 21-14 with 0:21 left in the third quarter. 

The Raiders returned the kick-off to their 40 and drove into the Wildcats end of the field.  Facing fourth and four, Sharp hit Alejandro Iwabuchi on a pass in the flat.  He picked up a block and made a nice move down the sideline for a critical first down.  After a holding penalty nullified a touchdown run by Sharp, he scrambled on third and 11 to keep the play alive, then found Iwabuchi all alone in the corner of the end zone.  The scoring pass and extra point extended the Cedar Ridge lead to 28-14.

Alejandro Iwabuchi catches winning touchdown pass

 

Temple could get no closer.  They hoped Franklin could find another miracle, but the Raider defense bottled him up.  The Wildcats remaining drives either ended in punts or they turned the ball over on downs.  Cedar Ridge fed the Wildcats a steady diet of runs by Rittenhouse to wind down the clock.  The Raiders rode home to Round Rock with a 28-14 victory in their pocket.

Jemiyah Franklin picked up 163 yards on 25 carries for Temple, the big one being the 68 yard score in the second quarter.  The Wildcats fell to 2-2 with the loss.  CJ Rittenhouse pounded out 153 yards and scored twice for Cedar Ridge.  Garrett Sharp ran for one touchdown and threw for another.  Cedar Ridge begins district play next week with a 4-0 record.  

2016 Week One - Cibolo Steele vs Lake Travis

I went to Lehnhoff Stadium in Schertz, Texas for the game between the Cibolo Steele Knights and the Lake Travis Cavaliers.  The Knights are coached by Steve Lehnhoff.  They entered the game with a 1-0 record having beaten San Antonio Madison 37-7.  They were ranked as the AP #7 team in 6A football.  Hank Carter leads the Cavaliers.  They lost their opening game to Converse Judson 35-28, giving up 15 unanswered points in the fourth quarter.  They began the season ranked #2 in 6A, but fell to #8 after their loss. 

It was 90 degrees with a slight chance of rain in the forecast before game time.  This was a much anticipated early season non-conference game between two teams that each figure to make a deep run in the play-offs.

I had never been to Cibolo before, so I had to try out some of the local barbecue.  

The Barbecue

Harmon’s BBQ is located at 102 South Main Street in Cibolo.  It sure looked and smelled like a BBQ joint when I pulled into the parking lot.  According to their web site, Harmon’s serves up some of the best barbecue in the San Antonio area.  Based upon what I had to eat, I would beg to differ.

The brisket was dry and crumbly to the touch.  While the meat did have a smoky tatse, there was no smoke ring cooked into the meat.  My brisket did not have any outside bark on it, possibly removed by the meat cutter as he prepared my order.  Their sauce was fine and absolutely needed.  Without it, the meat was like chewing on a piece of paper towel.  The pork ribs were big and meaty, but again the meat was overly dry and leathery.  I almost could not finish eating my order.  Not because I was full, but rather due to the amount of work I had to do to chew it.  Had I been there at 11:00 AM when they opened, maybe the meat would have been moist and juicy.  But I was at Harmon’s after 5:00 PM and the barbecue tasted like the life had been cooked out of it.

The restaurant was clean and had a warm atmosphere.  The staff was friendly.  They have a large room in the back where people can kick back with a few beers and enjoy live music.  That is all well and good, but I went to Harmon’s for the BBQ and came away disappointed.  Next time I am in the Cibolo, I will try some other place.  I have to rate Harmon’s BBQ a single shaky Hook ‘Em.

The Game

The start of the game was delayed 30 minutes due to lightning strikes in the area.  A gentle rain fell through the first 10 minutes of the game.  

Rainbow over Lehnhoff Stadium

The Knights took the opening kick-off.  They made a couple of first downs before punting.  On the Cavs first possession, Charlie Brewer connected with Garrett Wilson on a short pass, then he took it 75 yards to the house for the first score.  Quarterback Xavier Martin fumbled on the Knights next possession.  A few plays later, Brewer took it in himself to make it 14-0.  The Knights answered with an 84 yard drive, capped off by a 33 yard touchdown pass to Caden Sterns in the corner of the end zone.  It took the Cavaliers just one play to go 76 yards on a pass from Brewer to Maleek Barkley to make it 21-7 with 2:37 left in the first quarter.

The Knights stormed back with another long drive.  Brenden Brady took it in from short yardage to make it 21-14.  Here comes the Cavs.  After a flea flicker moved the ball deep into Steele territory, Charlie Brewer connected with Cade Green for a score.  And here comes the Knights right back.  After a long pass set up the Knights with first and goal, Martin carried it in on a quarterback draw for a 13 yard touchdown to make it 28-21.  A fumbled toss by Maleek Barkley set the Knights up on the Cavaliers 39.  Martin threw another touchdown pass to tie the game at 28-28.  That’s how the first half ended.

Lake Travis took the third period kick-off and started from deep in their own end of the field.  They were unable to pick up a first down.  A 51 yard punt set up Cibolo on their 45.  Pounding the Cavs defense with runs by Brady and Martin, the Knights moved into Lake Travis territory.  On first and goal from the 8, Martin scored on a quarterback keeper to give Cibolo their first lead of the game 35-28.

The Cavs started from their 31.  Runs by Barkley and short passes from Brewer kept the chains moving.  Barkley scored on a four yard run.  For the extra point, Lake Travis lined up in a swinging gate formation.  Cibolo was unsure how to defend the formation.  Brewer took the quick snap and ran up the middle for wo points.  That gave Lake Travis the lead at 36-35.  The Cavs added a field goal with 2:13 to play in the third quarter to lead 39-35.

Here come the Knights right back.  Starting from their 20 yard line, Cibolo moved down field behind the running and passing of Xavier Martin.  From the Cavs 7, Martin found Caden Sterns in the corner of the end zone.  The touchdown and point after gave Cibolo the lead at 42-39.

Lake Travis stormed right back.  Starting from their 42, the Cavs moved into Cibolo territory on runs and passes from Charlie Brewer.  On third and 13 from the Knights 19, Brewer threw to the corner of the end zone.  Garrett Wilson made a diving catch for the touchdown.  The extra point kick put the Cavs back in front at 46-42 with 7:07 left to play.

Cibolo took possession on their 25.  Brady carried for a gain of 13.  Martin connected with CJ Williams on a deep pass good for 39 yards.  Lake Travis was called for a face mask penalty that set up the Knights with first and goal from the 7.  Their resulting touchdown gave Cibolo a 49-46 lead with 4:57 to play.

After a penalty wiped out a good kick-off return, Lake Travis started on their 8 yard line.  On third and 8, Brewer was pressured as he tried to pass.  His pass was incomplete, forcing Lake Travis to punt.  But more importantly, Brewer was injured on the play and had to be helped from the field.

With 3:13 left in the fourth quarter, Cibolo took possession at midfield with a chance to run out the clock.  Incomplete passes and penalties killed their drive and left time on the clock.  After the Cibolo punt, the Cavs took possession on their 20 with 2;52 to play.

Charlie Brewer was unable to play, so Mathew Baldwin took the field in relief.  He connected with Cade Brewer on several passes to move the Cavs down field.  On fourth and 12 from the 33, Baldwin scrambled to the 50 for a first down.  He found Cade Brewer for a gain to the Knights 29. With just 2 seconds left in regulation, kicker Cameron Dicker connected on a 46 yard field goal to tie the game and send it into overtime.

Steele took possession first on the Cavs 25.  It took Brady only two carries to get the score making it 56-49.  Lake Travis had to answer to keep the game going.  On second down, Baldwin hit Cade Brewer who walked into the end zone.  The Cavs thought about going for two, but their extra point kick tied the game at 56. 

Lake Travis started first in the second overtime period.  They could only muster a 29 yard field goal from Dicker to go up 59-56.  Now the Knights need to meet it or beat it.  They pounded Brady over and over again.  Facing fourth and 1 from the two, the Knights called timeout.  They could kick a field goal to tie the score and send the game into a third overtime.  Instead they decided to try for the touchdown to win the game. Martin rolled to his right, was pressured by a Cav linebacker, then threw the ball into the end zone for Rashad Beecham.  He dropped the pass and the game was over.  A thrilling double overtime victory for Lake Travis 59-56.

Attached is the video for this adventure: