Waco La Vega Advances Over Canyon Lake

By Chris Doelle
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Updated: December 3, 2017

photos: Steve Thomas

Pirates win battle in trenches to advance to Region Championship

In an era when offenses are becoming increasingly pass-oriented, pass plays were few and far between at Kelly Reeves Stadium in Round Rock. The Waco La Vega Pirates and Canyon Lake Hawks squared off in the UIL 4A Division I regional semifinals. During the game, both teams attempted a total of 15 passes and instead dueled it out through their ground game. La Vega entered the game at 12-0 on the year and were seeking to advance to the regional finals for the third-consecutive year. Canyon Lake, meanwhile, entered the game at 10-2 overall. This marks Canyon Lake’s first-ever season with double-digit wins.

After the La Vega defense forced Canyon Lake to punt on the opening drive, senior quarterback Jamaal Williams connected with junior wide receiver Taequan Tyler on 44-yard screen pass to give the Pirates a 6-0 lead after missing the extra-point attempt. On the ensuing drive, the Hawks used a heavy dose of the ground game and took eight minutes and fifteen seconds off the clock. Junior running back Tristan Chacon capped off the drive with a two-yard dive over the goal line to give the Hawks a 7-6 lead. The Pirates, however, returned the ensuing kickoff to the Hawks’ 14-yard line; and senior running back Cameron Henry scored three plays later on a six-yard touchdown run. Williams converted the two-point conversion to give La Vega a 14-7 lead. Senior running back Kemoche Hobbs scored on a six-yard touchdown run late in the second quarter to increase the Pirates’ lead to 20-7 going into halftime.

To open the second half, Jamaal Williams broke free for a 70-yard touchdown keeper to extend the La Vega lead to 27-7. The Pirates’ defense then forced a three-and-out, and the offense appeared poised to put the game away after taking over with excellent field position. Canyon Lake junior safety Jacob Neel gave the Hawks new life, however, with an interception. Senior running back Tanner Faris rattled off a 45-yard run and scored on a six-yard run to cut the deficit to 27-14. On the ensuing drive, the momentum appeared to swing further in Canyon Lake’s favor. Penalties and miscues drove La Vega backwards and forced a three-and-out. The Hawks were unable to seize the opportunity, however. After an illegal-block penalty wiped off a touchdown for the Hawks, La Vega senior defensive end Chris Judie recovered Canyon Lake senior tight end J.T. Greene’s fumble. Despite the turnover, the Hawks’ defense forced the Pirates to punt; and the offense was able to drive all the way to the La Vega 17-yard line. The Pirates’ defense was able to stop senior quarterback Ben Fulton just short of the first-down marker on fourth and one, and the Hawks turned the ball over on downs. Kemoche Hobbs scored his scored his second touchdown of the night late in the fourth quarter to seal the game for La Vega at the final score of 33-14.

With the win, La Vega improves to 13-0 overall. The Pirates advance to the UIL 4A Division 1 State Quarterfinals for the third-consecutive year. They will face their district foe the Liberty Hill Panthers next Friday at Leo Buckley Stadium in Killeen. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30pm.

by Steve Thomas