Texas High School Football Roundup for the Houston

Semifinal Playoffs

Pearland Headed for Title Match with Allen: After dispatching San Antonio Madison, Pearland now has a shot at its second state title in four years. The Oilers were down 17-3 early, but were able to tie it at 24 late in the third quarter. Tailbacks JaColbie Butler and Zachary Boegler continued to get it done on the ground, though it was Jacoby Lewis who emerged the hero. The speedy wide receiver scored on a 3-yard reverse in the third, then won the game for his team on a 97-yard kickoff return with 1:36 to play. The 38-31 win sends Pearland to a final matchup with the all-powerful Allen Eagles.

Katy Ready to Cap Off a Dominant Season: There is dominance, and then there is what the Tigers did to San Antonio Johnson. A week after corralling Manvel’s D’Eriq King, Gary Joseph’s Katy squad absolutely smothered the Jaguars in holding them to just 88 yards of offense. Rodney Anderson continued to tear up the competition with 225 yards and three scores, with Kyle Porter spelling him for 126 yards and two touchdowns of his own. Quarterback Garrett Doiron threw for just 29 yards and an interception, but the Tigers still managed to rack up 503 yards. They get Cedar Hill next week while we all lament the fact that we don’t get to see them take on Allen.

Brennan Ends Stratford’s Improbable Run: Win or lose, Stratford would go down as the biggest surprise of the 4A DI playoffs. After never giving up more than 8 points since September, San Antonio Brennan hung 31 on the Spartans to take them right out of their game. They could get nothing going after Rakeem Boyd’s 72-yard run on their opening drive, with Brennan’s Derick Roberson tormenting quarterback Freddy Price with four sacks. Making the state semis for the first time in 25 years, Stratford was simply not a team built to make the big comeback. We congratulate them on a thrilling second half of this 2013 season.

Touchdown Club Honors the Best of Houston: After leading their respective schools to undefeated regular seasons, Texas City’s Armanti Foreman and Galena Park North Shore’s Zach Whitley were honored as the city’s best players by the Touchdown Club of Houston. Foreman, one of the nation’s best receivers, is on his way to the University of Texas after scoring 13 all-purpose touchdowns and recording six interceptions on defense. All-State linebacker Whitley, an Alabama commit, finished his regular season with 144 tackles, seven sacks and four forced fumbles. Keep an eye on these two as they march toward successful college and, hopefully, professional careers. Katy’s Gary Joseph was also recognized as the area’s best head coach.