2016 Play-offs round 1 - Connally vs Magnolia West

Here is the video from this adventure:

Friday was Veteran’s Day.  I want to take a moment to say thanks to my Dad Art and my late father-in-law Allen Dame and the millions of men and women all across America who served our country so proudly.  We are honored by your service and cannot say Thank You enough.

My late father-in-law Allen Dame, circa 1992

My Dad Art, age 90

The second season began Friday.  The Texas high school football play-offs are a six week, single elimination tournament.  Win and advance, lose and go home.  Every team that has made their way into the play-offs thinks (hopes) they have what it takes to play at Jerry’s World in December.

Connally Stadium

I went to Connally Stadium to see the Cougars in first round action against the Magnolia West Mustangs.  I had seen Jason Cecil’s Connally team twice already this season.  They may not have liked the fact that I am here since their two losses were in games I attended.  JD Berna is in his first season as head coach of Magnolia West.  He is a disciple of the former coach at Baylor, Art Briles.  He leads a team with a 7-3 season record.  Not bad for a first year coach.

The second season is a special time of year for Texas football.  All kinds of crazy things have been known to happen: miracle comebacks, unsung players becoming instant heroes.  All the hard work and sacrifice made by the players and coaches during the season are on the line.  For the team that comes up short on the scoreboard, there is no tomorrow.  It should be a good one.

While the teams got ready for kick-off,  their tummies were no doubt filled with butterflies.  My tummy was full of BBQ.  Let me take a minute to show you what I got. . .

The Barbecue

I went to Johnny T’s BBQ week 9 of last season.  There had been torrential rains in central Texas the preceding week which caused problems with their smoker.  They were unable to serve brisket the day I was there, but their ribs were good.  I figured I would try them again, this time with a particular eye for their brisket.

They moved to a new location in December 2015.  They are once again in the corner of a little strip shopping center now at 1615 Grand Avenue Parkway in Pflugerville.  Their moist brisket had a thin bark and was tender with a light smoky flavor.  I tend to like more smokiness.  The ribs were good, just not as good as I remembered.  They were meaty, but could have been more tender.  The extra flap of meat at the end of the bone was not leathery, but definitely chewy.  As they did last year, they offered three types of sauce:

• ·         Original – a thin red sauce, sorta sweet to the taste.
• ·         Spicy – a thicker red sauce with additional spice.
• ·         Carolina – a mustard based sauce with an extra little kick of spice. Like last year, this one tickled my taste buds the most.

The staff was friendly and the restaurant was clean.  The barbecue was good, but I prefer brisket with a deeper smokiness and ribs a bit more tender. I think the barbeque was better at their previous location, but better than the barbecue served at other joints in strip shopping centers.  I rate Johnny T’s BBQ as a single Hook ‘Em.

The Game

Connally received the opening kick-off .  They were unable to pick up a first down and were forced to punt.  Magnolia West blocked the kick, scooped up the bouncing ball, and fell into the end zone to take a 7-0 lead.

On their second possession, Connally again had to punt.  After runs by Trey McGrew picked up a first down, quarterback Wesley Bagley scrambled to avoid pressure, broke down the left sideline, and was pushed out of bounds on the Connally 19.  A steady diet of runs by McGrew moved the ball to the Cougar 1 yard line.  He carried again on a dive play to score his first touchdown.  The extra point was blocked, so the score stood at 13-0 with 3:23 to play in the first quarter.  Not looking too good for the home team.

QB Wesley Bagley scrambles to the Cougar 19

Early in the second quarter, Connally had to punt once again.  But this time, the Mustangs return man dropped the punt and it was recovered by the Cougars.  Just the spark they needed.  Ryan Walton burst up the middle for a big gain to the Magnolia West 30.  Runs by Patterson pushed the ball into the end zone for a touchdown.  With 10:16 before half time, Connally cut the lead to 13-7.

With 3:45 left in the second quarter, Connally took possession on their 34.  Patterson ran the ball for 6 yards.  Kordell Mathis ran through a hole on the left side and sprinted down the sideline 60 yards for a touchdown.  The extra point gave the Cougars their first lead at 14-13 at the 3:07 mark in the second quarter.  Now we have a game.

Kordell Mathis runs for 60 yard touchdown

Magnolia West returned the kick-off to their 38.  Time for the Trey McGrew show.  He picked up 32 yards on four carries.  On third and 2, his offensive line opened a big hole and he scored from 30 yards out.  The extra point made it 20-13, Mustangs with 1:08 left in the second quarter.

Trey McGrew scores on 30 yard burst up the middle

Connally started with great field position on their 45.  Patterson connected with Micajah Moffett on a middle screen to the Mustangs 45.  The defender covering Mathis fell down leaving him wide open.  Patterson hit Mathis in stride and he scored to make it 21-20 to close the first half.

The defender fell down leaving Mathis wide open for a touchdown

Connally kicked-off to start the third quarter.  Time for the Trey McGrew show again.  After being called for holding, the Mustangs lined up on second down needing 16 yards.  Their offensive line opened a big hole and McGrew ran for 46 yards to the Cougars 19.  A face mask penalty on the Cougars gave Magnolia West first and goal from the 9.  McGrew did the rest and the Mustangs reclaimed the lead at 27-21.

McGrew carries for 46 yards

Late in the third quarter, the Mustangs took possession on their 11 after stopping Connally short on fourth down.  They used the McGrew battering ram to eat up clock and move the chains downfield.  As the fourth quarter began, Magnolia West had a first down on the Connally 41. Quarterback Wesley Bagley connected with Deavin Smith on a pass to the Cougars 5.  The Cougar defense stiffened and forced the Mustangs to settle for a 28 yard field goal to extend their lead to nine points at 30-21 with 9:00 left to play.

After an interception, Magnolia West had the ball at midfield.  Three runs by McGrew ate up clock and moved the ball to the Cougars 37.  After a holding penalty, Bagley threw deep, but the ball was picked off by Dereon Kizzee and returned 65 yards to the Mustang 28. 

Dereon Kizzee returns an interception 65 yards

After a false start penalty, Patterson dropped back to pass.  He scrambled to avoid pressure from the Mustang defense, then threw a touchdown pass to Ryan Walton.  The extra point trimmed the lead to 30-28 with 3:57 remaining in the game.

Magnolia West started on their 24 yard line.  Everyone knew what was coming.  McGrew carried for 8 yards on first down, then picked up another yard on second down.  With 2:53 left to play, McGrew carried again on third down, but he was stopped inches short of the first down.  The Mustangs punted the ball over to Connally.  The Cougars return man signaled for a fair catch, but muffed the punt.  The Mustangs recovered on the Cougar 16.  McGrew was handed the ball on third down, but again the Cougar defense stopped him short.  The Mustangs kicked a 26 yard field goal to push their lead to five at 33-28.

Connally got the ball on their 37 with only 1:23 left to play in the game.  The Cougars turned to the back pages of their play book for a double reverse flea flicker with the ball tossed back to Patterson.  His deep pass was broken up and fell incomplete.  Fourth and 10, only 54 seconds left on the clock.  Make the first down or the season ends right here.  Patterson threw to Reggie Martin who carried the ball to the Mustang 40 for a first down.  Patterson was sacked on first down.  Third and 15 from the 46 with 10 seconds left to play.  Patterson chunked the ball deep.  K Stewart split two defenders, caught the pass, and scored a touchdown with just 3 seconds to play.  Final score: Connally 34, Magnolia West 33.

Robert Patterson  throws deep 

K Stewart makes winning touchdown catch

I said in my opening for this game that all kinds of crazy things happen in the play-offs.  This game will be added to the list.  Trey McGrew had a huge night for Magnolia West, but the Connally defense stopped him short late in the fourth quarter when it mattered most.  Robert Patterson was not playing his best game (he wore some kind of glove on his non-throwing left hand), but came up huge at the end of the second and fourth quarters.  K Stewart only had one pass thrown his way all night, but he made the most of it by catching the winning touchdown.

Congratulations to Magnolia West.  They had a good season to make the play-offs and fought hard the entire game.  The Cougars live to play one more week with the 34-33 win. You just gotta love a game like this.  

2016 Week 10 - Georgetown vs Connally

My video for this adventure:

I went back to Georgetown to see the Eagles do battle against their district 19-5A rival, the Connally Cougars.  Jason Dean is in his eighth year at Georgetown.  The Eagles are 7-2 on the season. They are currently in third place in the district at 5-2.  Connally is coached by Jason Cecil.  The Cougars are in second place in the district and have an overall record of 8-1.  I have seen both teams earlier in the season as they were ground up by the machine known as the Cedar Park Timberwolves.  Their performances against Cedar Park are not an accurate reflection of how good these teams truly are.

This is the last game of the regular season.  Both of these teams will make the “second season”, so tonight’s game is a final tune-up before the play-offs begin.  It should be a good one.

Before I got to the stadium, I sampled some barbecue.  Let me show you what I got to eat. . .

The Barbecue

I stopped off at Branch BBQ for dinner as I made my way to the stadium.  They are located in a little strip shopping center at 1779 Wells Branch Parkway in Austin.  Their web site says they serve the best BBQ in central Texas.  It also says their Friday special is homemade chicken and dumplings.  I had an inkling of what I would find there, but had to check it out to be sure.

The moist brisket I was served had no bark on it, possibly cut off by the young man behind the counter.  The meat was not stringy, but sort of just fell apart.  On top of that, it really did not have a smoky flavor.  Pretty much just “cooked meat”.  The pork ribs were good.  They were meaty and tender, the meat easily biting off the bone.  Unlike the brisket, the ribs did have a smoky flavor.  The sauce was not much more than thin ketchup with no sweetness or spice. 

The young man who served me was friendly and the restaurant was very clean.  It might be a nice neighborhood place for fast food BBQ, but there are any number of joints in central Texas serving better barbecue.  Nana would have liked this place (see week 7), but I was disappointed.  I rate Branch BBQ as a shaky Hook ‘Em.

The Game

It was an overcast evening as the Eagles entered the stadium in front of their home crowd.  The Cougars started the game with the ball on their 25 yard line.  They moved into Georgetown territory with short passes and runs by quarterback Robert Patterson.  Connally lined up in a “double swinging gate” formation (linemen and receivers split wide both right and left) that spread the Eagles defense.  Patterson took the snap and ran up the middle to the Georgetown 7.  On fourth and goal from the 1, Patterson pushed his way into the end zone for the first touchdown of the night.

Connally in "double swingig gate" formation

The Eagles answered with a drive of their own.  Quarterback Chandler Herman connected with Beau Corrales and Caden Leggett to move the chains.  Eric Anderson had a big run to the Cougars 12 yard line.  The drive stalled and the Eagles kicked a 22 yard field goal to make it 7-3.

After the ensuing kick-off, Connally once again started from their 25.  Patterson tossed to Reggie Martin for a big gain, then ran the ball into Georgetown territory.  Patterson found Ernest Musue behind the Eagles defense for a 34 yard touchdown.  The extra point made the score 14-3.

Patterson finds Ernest Musue behind the defense for a touchdown

After a poor sky kick and an offside penalty against Connally, Georgetown took possession at mid field.  Runs by Anderson and passes to Colton Knudsen moved the ball into Connally’s end of the field.  Herman threw to Corrales who worked his way to the Cougars 8 yard line.  As the game moved into the second quarter, Herman connected with Corrales on a fade route in the back corner of the end zone.  The extra point made the score 14-10.

Chandler Herman throws to Beau Corrales on a fade route for six

Here come the Cougars.  Patterson picked up big yardage with his legs.  After a holding penalty, Connally was looking at fourth and 12.  Rather than punt, the Cougars reached into their playbook for a “hook and lateral” play.  Patterson threw downfield to Martin who lateraled the ball to a trailing George Pettus for the first down.  Patterson threw to Martin on the goal line, but he dropped the sure touchdown.  Connally attempted a 35 yard field goal, but the kick was no good.

Reggie Martin laterals to George Pettus for a first down

The Eagles got the ball on their 20 after the touchback.  On third and 1, they lined up in a wildcat formation.  Leggett took the direct snap from center, swept to his left, and ran down the sideline for big yardage.  Herman threw to Corrales on a wide receiver screen.  He turned it into a 36 yard touchdown.  The extra point gave the Eagles their first lead of the game at 17-14.

Corrales turns a wide receiver screen into a touchdown

With 3:31 left to play before halftime, Connally took possession on their 19.  The Eagles had no answer as Patterson picked up huge yardage running the football.  He then threw a dart to Martin who spun to his right and out raced the defenders to the end zone.  The Cougars went to the locker room up 17-14 at the half.

Martin out runs the defenders for a touchdown

Georgetown returned the third quarter kick-off to their 35.  Erik Anderson moved the chains with a strong run.  Chandler Herman connected with Beau Corrales on a slant to the Cougars 27, then found him again with a pass to the Connally 2.  Anderson plowed into the end zone to make it 21-17.

The teams traded possessions.  After stopping the Eagles on fourth down, Connally took possession on the Georgetown 45.  They picked up good yardage on the ground.  Patterson scrambled, then broke up the middle for a 32 yard touchdown run.  The Cougars retook the lead at 28-24 with 3:28 remaining in the third quarter.

Patterson takes off on 32 yard scramble for a score

The teams traded punts.  With just over a minute left in the third quarter, the Eagles got the ball on the Cougar 41 after a fair catch.  Herman dumped the ball Cade Sill who rambled down to the 25.  Herman threw to Corrales for a first down on the 13, then found Leggett all alone in the end zone for a touchdown.  The Eagles went back in front 31-28.

Leggett alone in the end zone for touchdown catch

As the game moved into the fourth quarter, the Eagles started a drive from their 46.  They picked up a first down when Herman hit Corrales on a slant route to the Connally 41.  A pass interference call against the Cougars put the ball on the Connally 26.  Herman dropped the snap, but had enough time to find Nic Crombie for a touchdown in the back corner of the end zone.  The Eagles missed the extra point, so the score stood at 37-28.

Connally was unable to sustain any kind of drive in the fourth quarter.  Georgetown bottled up Patterson and prevented him from making any big runs.  His passes missed their mark as he was pressured by the Eagles defense.  With over 4:30 left to play, Georgetown took possession on their own 32.  They ran out the clock and Connally never got the ball back.

The 37-28 win gave Georgetown the same record as Connally at 8-2 and moved them into second place in the district. Chandler Herman threw to five different receivers, completing 21 of his 30 passes for 274 yards and four touchdowns.  The Eagles picked up 157 yards on the ground.  Robert Patterson is a baller and very reminiscent of a quarterback who played for the Texas Longhorns a few years ago – Vince Young.  Patterson connected with five different receivers.  He went 11 for 24 for 165 yards and two touchdowns.  He ran for 170 yards on 26 carries and scored twice.  

2016 Week 9 - Westwood vs Pflugerville

My video from this adventure:

I went to Kelly Reeves Athletic Complex, often called “The Palace on Parmer” to see the game between the Westwood Warriors and the Pflugerville Panthers. Westwood is coached by Anthony Wilson.  He is in his 12^th season as coach of the Warriors and leads a team with a 4-4 record, 1-3 in district play.  They started the season winning four of their first five games, but are currently on a three game losing streak.  George Herrmann has been at the helm of the Panthers for 20 years.  Pflugerville comes into the game with a 3-5 record, 2-2 in district play. 

Despite their losing records, both teams still have a mathematical chance to reach the play-offs.  The top 4 teams in each district qualify for the “second season”.  District 13-6A has been dominated this season by the unbeaten Cedar Ridge Raiders (see episode 5).  Despite their losing record, Pflugerville is in third place in the district.  Westwood is currently tied with two other teams for last place, but could move up in the district rankings if they can win their last two games of the season.  Both teams are playing for pride and a possible play-off spot.  It should be a good one.

Like I do on football game days, I had some barbecue earlier today.  As the two teams get ready for kick-off, let me show you. . .

The Barbecue

I stopped off at Styles Switch for barbecue.  They are located in the Violet Crown shopping center at 6610 North Lamar in Austin.  Violet Crown, built in 1951, was the first shopping center built in Austin and served as the production hub for the movie “Dazed and Confused”.  Their lease space was the home of the “Emporium” pool hall where David Wooderson (played by Matthew McConaughey) uttered the immortal phrase “All right all right all right”.  They have several photos from the movie displayed around the restaurant.

The moist brisket had a nice bark and was very tender, but except for the bark, it did not have much of a smoky flavor.  It wasn’t to the point where it was only “cooked meat”, but kinda close to it.  The pork ribs tasted good, but the meat was chewy.  I had to work to bite the meat off the bone.  Probably could have used higher heat or more cooking time.  Their sauce was not much more than red water and really didn’t add anything to the meat.  On top of all this, the price was rather high.  However, I will say that their peach cobbler was excellent.

The Styles Switch restaurant has a lot of history and charm.  The counter staff and guys minding the pits were all very friendly.  But I was there for the barbecue.  They served a large lunch crowd and are rated as one of the best BBQ joints in Austin, but I came away disappointed.  There are many other places in central Texas serving better barbecue for lower cost.  I have to rate Styles Switch as a shaky Hook ‘Em.

The Game

Kelly Reeves Athletic Complex

It was a beautiful night for football.  The two teams presented contrasting styles of offense.  The visiting Panthers run an “old school” offense – power running, control the game clock, play action passing.  The Warriors feature a “wide open” attack – multiple wide receivers, passes to play makers in space.  Which defense would be up to the task?

Will Jennings barks out signals for Westwood

Westwood received the kick-off to start the game and returned it to their 45 yard line.  Quarterback Will Jennings scrambled for a big gain into Pflugerville territory.  Later in the drive he passed to Trevor Smith for an 18 yard gain to the Panther 9.  Te’shon McGinnis took it from there as he ran 9 yards for the first touchdown of the game to give the Warriors a 7-0 lead.

Pflugerville was penalized on their kick-off return and started their first drive from the 13.  On third and 8, quarterback Justyn Merriweather handed the ball to Demarcus Weaver on a power sweep to the right.  He ran to the Warrior 40 for a big first down.  The Panthers pounded the defense with power runs, then Merriweather passed to Markalon Ellison for a first down on the Westwood 14.  Daveon Douglas carried the ball to the 4 on a toss sweep.  Merriweather tied the score at 7-7 with a quarterback sneak from the 1.

Demarcus Weaver picks up big yardage

After a Westwood punt, the Panthers took possession on their 24 yard line.  As the game moved into the second quarter, Pflugerville muscled their way to mid field.  Terren Williams got the ball on a reverse, outflanked the Warrior defense, and ran down the sideline for a 49 yard touchdown.  The extra point put the Panthers in the lead at 14-7.

Terren Williams scores on a reverse

The Warriors began their next drive from the 29 yard line.  Passes from Jennings to Colin Iguchi and Smith and penalties on the Panther defense moved the ball into the Pflugerville red zone.  On first and goal from the 7, Westwood reached into their playbook.  Iguchi went in motion and took a handoff from Jennings, then threw a halfback pass to McGinnis for a touchdown.  That tied the score at 14-14 with 6:10 to play before halftime.

Pflugerville took possession at midfield after the Westwood kick-off went out of bounds.  They could not pick up a first down and had to punt.  Jennings scrambled to the Warrior 35 for a first down.  On the next play, his pass was intercepted.  The Panthers were called for a penalty on the return and took control on their 46.  Pflugerville powered their way into the Westwood red zone.  The Warrior defense stiffened and forced the Panthers to settle for a 28 yard field goal.  The first half ended with Pflugerville leading 17-14.

The Panthers got the ball first to start the second half.  Once again, their power running game pounded the ball deep into the Westwood red zone.  The Warrior defense forced another field goal, but the Panther 30 yard field goal was short and no good.

Westwood took over on their own 20 and started a drive.  Jennings rolled to his right, then passed back to his left to Te’shon McGinnis for a big gain.  McGinnis carried the ball several times for good yardage.  On fourth and 5, Jennings passed to Dylan Frazier for a first down on the Pflugerville 21.  It was the Panthers defense’s turn to stiffen and force the Warriors to try a field goal.  Westwood turned to another section of their playbook – the trick play section.  Jennings lined up as the field goal kicker.  He took a direct snap from center, then passed to Beau Brown who had sneaked behind the Panther defense.  Westwood regained the lead at 21-17.

Fake field goal leads to TD pass from Jennings to Beau Brown

The third quarter ended with a punt by Pflugerville that was downed on the Warrior 16 yard line.  Two quick passes from Will Jennings to Colin Iguchi picked up a first down.  Then Jennings gave the ball to Miles Webber on a draw.  He burst through a huge hole in the Panther defense and would have scored easily on a 74 yard run, but he did something really stupid – he taunted the Panther defenders.  Webber was called for an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty and the touchdown was negated.  Westwood retained possession inside Pflugerville territory.  Jennings threw to Iguchi for a first down on the 12.  Two plays later, the Warriors again opened up the playbook.  Jennings tossed an inside shuffle pass to McGinnis who scored from the 9.  With 9:23 left in the game, Westwood was up 28-17.

Miles Webber taunts the Panther defense

Down by 11, Pflugerville needed to move.  Michael Salais went in motion, then Merriweather found him open behind the linebackers for a big gain to the Westwood 44.  After a false start penalty, Merriweather handed the ball to Corey Coles who broke through the defense and was tackled from behind on the 2.  Merriweather pushed his way into the end zone for the touchdown.  The extra point cut the lead to 28-24 with 6:48 to play.

Corey Coles carries down to the 2

The Panther defense needed to make a stop to get the ball back to their offense, but it was not to be.  Jennings drove Westwood downfield and into Pflugerville territory with a series of sideline passes.  On second and 11 from the panther 19, Jennings rolled to his left then threw to Trevor Smith in the corner of the end zone for a touchdown.  The extra point extended the lead to 35-24 with 4:55 to play.

The Panthers were unable to score again as the two teams traded possessions late in the game.  The Warriors claimed the victory and moved into a tie with the Panthers for third place at 2-3 in district play.