2017 - Anderson vs McCallum

Texas Passions - Anderson vs McCallum.  Season 2, episode 10.

A recap of the 2017 Taco Shack Bowl played between the Anderson Trojans and the McCallum Knights.  Also a look at the barbecue served at House Park Bar-B-Que.  

I went to House Park in downtown Austin to see the Taco Shack Bowl, the annual grudge match between the Anderson Trojans and the McCallumKnights.  Jeff Rhoads is in his fourth year at the helm of the Trojans.  Even with a 3-8 record last year, Anderson made the play-offs but lost their opening round game.  Charles Taylor is back for his fourth season as head coach of McCallum.  The Knights finished 2016 with a 10-2 record, being eliminated from the play-offs in the second round. 

It was about 91 degrees at kick-off.  There were some scattered clouds and not much of a breeze.  While the heat might have tested the conditioning of the players, the weather was note a factor in the game.

While everybody in Texas is excited about the start of football season, we are also very concerned about our friends, family, and neighbors along the Gulf Coast.  You’ve seen the footage and heard the stories of the devastation and destruction caused by Hurricane Harvey.  Please take a moment to open your hearts and open your wallets.  There are many great organizations collecting donations to help the thousands of people ravaged by the storm.  If you have a favorite charity, please contribute.  Here are links to some of mine:


      Hurricane Harvey Relief

          Salvation Army

          Houston Food Bank

          Houston Flood Relief Fund

But before I talk about the game, let me show you the barbecue I ate along the way. . .

The Barbecue

House Park Bar-B-Que is located at 900 12^th Street, just around the corner from House Park Stadium.  Their normal hours are 11:00 AM to 2:30 PM, but they reopened a couple of hours before game time to feed people on their way to the game. 

I got my usual brisket and ribs.  The brisket was dry and crumbly, without much of a smoky flavor.  It might have been good as a sandwich, but not as a stand alone item.  The ribs were tender and meaty, but they too were lacking a smoky flavor.  Their sauce had a nice tang to it and was needed to hold the little meat bits together. 

House Park Bar-B-Que has a lot of charm and a friendly staff.  They have several tables inside and many more outside.  Had I been there for lunch, the barbecue may have been better.  While it beat eating a boiled hot dog on a plain bun at the stadium, there are better barbecue choices all over Austin.

This barbecue gets a shaky Hook ‘Em.

The Game

Anderson kicked off to McCallum on a beautiful summer evening to start the 2017 season.  After a 27 yard run by Deron Gage set the Knights up on the Trojan’s six yard line, quarterback Max Perez threw a strike to Gage for the first touchdown of the game. 

Max Perez hits Deron Gage for first TD of the night

Overcoming numerous penalties on their first drive, Anderson tied the game when quarterback Davis Adams threw deep to Trevor Marek for a 51 yard touchdown.

Late in the first quarter, Alex Julian carried the ball 18 yards on a sweep to score.  The extra point was blocked. The Knights led 13-7 with 1:35 left in the first quarter.

The Knights capped off a drive in the second quarter as Perez ran the ball in from 13 yards out.  Their try for two failed, leaving the score 19-7.

On the Trojan’s next possession, Adams’ pass was intercepted by Tyrell Washington and returned 53 yards for the score.  His pick six pushed the Knights lead to 26-7 with 8:08 remaining in the second quarter.

Tyrell Washington scores on a pick six

The Trojans came right back.  Adams connected on a pass on fourth down to the Knights 10 yard line to keep the drive alive.  On third and goal, Andrew Mitchell out jumped the defender to snag the pass from Adams for the score.  The teams went to halftime with the score 26-14.

Adams scored from three yards out on the Trojans first possession of the third quarter to make it 26-21.

The Knights quickly answered.  Deron Gage picked up big yardage to set up Julian’s second score of the night. McCallum was once again up by 12 at 33-21.

Avoiding pressure, Adams found Patrick Beale open.  Beale avoided a tackle and scampered down the sideline for a 66 yard touchdown.  

On McCallum’s next possession, Anderson forced a punt and started a drive.  On fourth down, Adams was dropped short of the yardage needed and the Knights took over.  On the Knights first play, Perez’s pass is intercepted, giving Anderson the on the McCallum 25 yard line mid way through the fourth quarter.

Needing a touchdown to take the lead, Adams was sacked for a loss on first down.  On third and long, Adams was picked off again to kill the drive.

McCallum began a long, time consuming march downfield.  Alex Julian busted through the Trojan defense for a 33 yard score.  The two point conversion pushed the Knights lead to 41-28 with 3:50 left to play.  After Anderson could not move the ball, Julian scored his fourth touchdown of the night on a 27 yard rumble up the middle.  That gave McCallum the win, 48-28.

Alex Julian scores his fourth TD from 27 yards out

Despite numerous penalties, Anderson had a chance to take the lead in the fourth quarter.  Davis Adams completed 22 of 35 passes for 347 yards and three touchdowns, but that was offset by his two interceptions.  The Knights used a punishing ground attack (470 total yard) to control the game.  Alex Julian ran for 247, Deron Gage ran for 114, and Max Perez added another 109 yards.