Hard Fought Victory for Yates

photo: Glenn McCarthy

Battle of the Big Cats is a Tight One

Houston- The Jack Yates Lions eased by the Houston Davis Panthers in a makeup game due to the heavy rains on over the weekend, 15-12.  It was one of two makeup games in the area - including the Houston Wheatley vs. Houston Washington game..  The win moves Yates to 4-4 on the season and 3-2 in District 20-5A.  Davis moves to 3-5 and 1-4 in district. Yates Head Coach, Jeff Ceasar used a variety of blitzes and mainly a stunting linebacker on the weak side to make the night miserable for the Panthers and quarterback Xavier Hardeman.  Hardeman was running for his life due to the pressure and 6-1, 275 Raimon McCardle living in the Davis backfield.  McCardle finished the night with 4 sacks and several tackles for loss on way to player of the game honors.  Davis only achieved 1 total rushing yard on the night due to all the negative plays.

Yates received the ball and had a quick 3 and out.  On the next possession Davis fumbled on their first play at their own 40.  Yates saw their next drive stall at the Panther 25 yard line after a penalty pushed them out of the red zone and into a 4th and 25 that they did not convert.  Davis again fumbled and McCardle recovered.

Not to be out done by McCardle, Davis behemoth Jonathan Bautista had a great night of his own playing both ways and constantly causing mayhem for sophomore Yates QB Tra’ Vonta Carpenter.  He flashed with several sacks and TFLs.

Yates struck first when Carpenter found runningback Trevion Gaines for a 4 yard toss and a touchdown to take the lead 7-0.   They scored on their next possession too when the nine play drive, highlighted by a beautiful 40 yard pass to the 2 from Carpenter to Lee Kelley as he wrestled the ball away from two Davis defensive backs. Gaines got his second touchdown on the next play on a 2 yard plunge. They missed the PAT but stretched the lead to 13-0.

Richard Henry scored on an 11 yard run right before the half for the Panthers. They did not convert the 2 point conversion but cut the lead to 13-6.  Davis continued the scoring in the 3rd quarter when Hardeman found junior wide receiver Justin Stewart wide open on a crossing route for a 40 yard pass to the end zone.  The game tightened 13-12.

Turnovers marred both sides but flat out restricted the Mighty Lions as they tried to pull away on the night.  With Bautista causing pressure, Carpenter fumbled twice in the 2nd half and threw an interception to defensive back Jermaine West.

Lee Kelley provided the play of the night when early in the 4th quarter, he made a beautiful break on the ball as Hardeman flipped a ball out to a Panther deep in their own end zone. Kelly's quick read and reaction trapped the runner or a safety, 15-12 Lions.

Davis had several opportunities to take the lead with Carpenter fumbling but McCardle was always there to come through with a sack or a tackle for loss.  Yates will turn around and play Houston Sharpstown this Friday.

by Glenn McCarthy
@GlennMcCarthy44

Player of the game- defensive tackle, Raimon McCardle

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