Allen Avoids Let Down, Overcomes Upset-Minded Martin
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Updated: November 28, 2014
Eagles Pull Away Late to Advance to 6A DI Region I Final
DENTON – In front of one of the largest crowds North Texas’ Apogee Stadium has seen all year, No. 1 Allen (13-0) gutted out a 69-54 victory over Arlington Martin (10-3), extending #TXHSFB’s longest active winning streak to 40 consecutive games. The Eagles haven’t lost a game since September of the 2012 campaign, when Coppell knocked off Allen 27-24 in an overtime thriller.
Allen entered today’s Class 6A DI Region 1 Semifinal with a recipe for disaster. Coming off a huge last second victory over DeSoto last week, the top ranked Eagles brought along with them the biggest target on their backs. Arlington Martin looked ready to aim for the bull’s-eye.
Special teams played a big role in the first half as Martin fired out to a 21-19 halftime lead. On its opening possession, the Warriors converted on a fake punt to extend a 15-play, 68-yard drive that would eventually end with a touchdown on a fake field goal attempt. Martin was also able to capitalize on an Allen special teams miscue, recovering a botched snap over the punters head in the end zone for one final touchdown before heading to the locker room.
Both offenses lit up the scoreboard in the second half, combining for 113 total points and 1,121 yards, most of which came on the ground. Two big fourth quarter touchdown plays, a 81-yard kickoff return and 46-yard interception return, put Allen up 55-41 with about seven minutes left to play in the game. Just when it looked like the Eagles would coast to victory, Arlington Martin’s upset bid suddenly regained life.
After a Nic Smith four yard TD rush pulled Martin within just one possession, the Warriors successfully recovered the ensuing onside kick with 2:46 left on the clock; time for one final chance to tie up the game. Martin seemed to be driving to do just that, when it stalled just 25 yards from the endzone. The Warriors, facing the play of the game on fourth down and two, handed the ball off to their bread and butter Smith. On first glance he seemed to pick up the yardage necessary for the first down. However, a questionable spot by the official set the ball just inches short of the chains. Surprisingly, the officiating crew decided not to measure the call of the game, declaring on the field a first down for Allen.
Allen’s stellar quarterback Kyler Murray proceeded to put the cherry on top on the very next play, sealing the victory with a 61-yard touchdown run. Murray, a Texas A&M commit, led the way with nine rushes for 197 yards and four scores. He also added two TD’s through the air on 10 passes for 92 yards.
The defending two time state champion Eagles advance to the Class 6A DI Region 1 Final, and are awaiting the winner of tonight’s Odessa Permian-Euless Trinity matchup. The game lands Allen right back at Apogee Stadium next Saturday, with kickoff tentatively set for 2 p.m.
BOX SCORE
Allen 6 7 22 28 69
Arl. Martin 7 14 14 19 54
TEAM STATS....Allen Arl. Martin
Total Yards 504 617
First Downs 19 32
Rushes/Yards 32/412 61/339
Avg. Yards/Carry 12.88 5.56
Comp-Att-Int 10-20-0 20-32-2
Pass Yards 92 278
Completion % 50 62.5
Punts 1 2
Punting Yards 26 27
Avg. Yards/Punt 26 13.5
Fumbles-Lost 1-1 0-0
Penalties-Yards 5-43 10-86
TEAM LEADERS
Passingg..................Comp Att Pct Yds TD INT
Allen – Kyler Murray 10 20 50 92 2 0
Martin – Eric Walker 17 28 60.71 241 1 2
Rushing................. Carries Yds Yds/C TD
Allen – Kyler Murray 9 197 21.89 4
Martin – Nic Smith 40 266 6.65 2
Receiving....................Rec Yds Yds/C TD
Allen – Cody Butler 4 30 7.5 2
Martin – Kristian Levy 11 150 13.6 2
by Taylor Brasher
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