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Five Big Things: 12/2/12 by Chris Doelle

chris doelle's Five Big Things in Texas High School FootballFive Big Things in Texas High School Football

12/02/12

What are the Five Big Things this week? As usual, it is some pretty interesting stuff.

A lot of you are expecting that I would start with the #1 team in Class 4A (Pearland Dawson) losing to Nederland in overtime.  Not only is that not the first Big Thing... it isn't in this list at all.  Dawson's loss was not all that surprising considering how they have been in close games since the playoffs started.  Don't get me started on how ridiculous the rankings are, that has been known for years.  Pearland Dawson had a great team this year, but it wasn't the top team in the state.

So what of the top teams in the state?  Well, a lot of them are still playing, so let's get to the Five Big Things!

1. Leander in Quarterfinals - not the one you thought – Leander High School has been a power all year and their amazing defense led most people to believe that they would have a solid playoff run.  Leander Rouse however, put a good team on the field (9-4) but certainly weren't getting the same kind of attention.  When the Regional playoffs in Class 4A Region IV saw both teams still alive, folks in Leander were thinking they might be treated to an all-Leander Quarterfinal matchup.

Leander Rouse did their part by demolishing Gregory-Portland 44-6, but Leander High ran into a Corpus Christi Flour Bluff squad that wasn't ready to just roll over for the Cinderella Leander season.  Flour Bluff fought the entire game and just when it looked like the Leander two-fer was about to happen, drove 80 yards and scored with just 5 seconds remaining.  Leander's season ends 29-27, but Rouse and Bluff are still alive to battle in the next round.

2. Hughes Springs moves forward by blocking a PAT in OT – In their Class 2A Division II playoff game against Centerville, Hughes Springs needed a lot of special teams in a game that went back and forth.  Hughes Springs took the lead early, but Centerville stormed back scoring two touchdowns and two extra points in the final 3:45 to force the overtime.

Hughes Springs scored in just four plays to take the lead again, but Centerville responded with a TD of their own and just needed to kick the extra point to force double overtime.  Hughes Springs' Chad McKinney, who had kicked four PATs during the contest, blocked the Centerville kick, securing the victory 28-27.

3. Some of the best Class 5A playoff games – There were so many great 5A playoff games this weekend, that I could have done a Five Big Things just on them.  I decided to make all of them be one here. 

Plano West vs Lufkin - After making up a seemingly insurmountable deficit, Lufkin misses a field goal with 3 seconds left from the Plano West 16 yard line that would have forced OT.  Plano West wins 55-52

Dallas Skyline vs Spring Westfield - Skyline picks off the go-ahead TD pass in their own endzone to save the victory! Dallas Skyline wins 38-33

Manvel vs Cypress Ranch - Manvel was up 42-28.  Cy Ranch scored and went for 2,  making it 42-36.  They then recovered the onside kick and scored with 10 seconds left.  The PAT gave Cy Ranch the win, 43-42.

Alief Elsik vs Galena Park North Shore - North Shore has been tearing up opponents this year and Alief Elsik has been making believers out of people.  The game was very low scoring as Elsik led early on.  North Shore came back to take the lead and the win 17-10.

Waco Hewitt-Midway vs Abilene - This game was tight throughout and right up until the final buzzer, it was anyone's ball game.  In the end, Waco Hewitt-Midway hit a 50 yard pass to put the ball on Abilene's 10.  With just 10 seconds left in the game, they hit a pass for the final 10 yards to get the win 34-31.

4. Cameron Yoe continues to impress – Prior to the start of the season, we pegged Cameron Yoe as one of the favorites to win a state championship.  They not only rolled through the season and into the playoffs with impressive performances, but they appear to be taking no prisoners.  Their 31-7 victory over unbeaten Lago Vista was not just a win, but a thrashing.  Their offense and defense are both firing on all cylinders.

They face a tough Hallettsville team (12-0) in Bastrop this next round and will need to continue to play their best to move forward.  Their likely opponent in the following round (Newton) is not only having a great season themselves, but put up Refugio-like points (82) in their win over Grandview.  It won't be an easy road, but they Yoemen are as likely as any of those teams to win.

5. DFW Battle of the Titans – Spring Westfield almost spoiled the All-DFW Royal Rumble in Division I of Class 5A when they nearly defeated Dallas Skyline (See Big Thing #3.)  Euless Trinity missed coming to the Quarterfinal dance by losing to Southlake Carroll but Carroll, Skyline, Allen and DeSoto all survive to this next round.  While Regions III and IV have two Houston and two San Antonio schools, Region I & II are all DFW.

This showdown is sure to have 1) record attendance 2) record setting performances and 3) stories that will be retold for years.  It is a shame that only one of these four teams will have a chance to play in the state championship game.  Rest assured, whichever survives their next two epic matchups WILL be battle tested.

I know I shouldn't be surprised that the games get better each and every week, but I still find myself watching in amazement.  There is something about the kickoff of a football game that parallels life.  As the opening whistle blows, the possibilities are endless.  The possibility of great success.  The possibility of bitter failure.  The chance to right old wrongs, create new legends and lifelong memories.  This is BIG STUFF!

Chris Doelle

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