Allen Soars Away from Midway

By Chris Doelle
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Updated: December 9, 2018

photos: Steve Thomas

Eagles Score 41 points in Second Half to Secure Trip to 6A D1 semifinals

A week after surviving a tough test against The Woodlands (the last team to beat Allen) in Waco, the Allen Eagles returned to McLane Stadium Saturday afternoon to face the Waco Hewitt Midway Panthers. At stake for the Eagles was a chance to extend their overall win streak to 30 games and the opportunity to advance to the state semifinals for the seventh-consecutive year. For Midway, the game represented the chance to move one step closer to a return to the state championship game. Last week, the
Panthers rallied from a 24-0 deficit a halftime to defeat the Klein Oak Panthers at Kyle Field in College Station. Despite only leading 10-0 at halftime, the Eagles outscored the Panthers 41-7 in the second half to secure a 51-7 victory.

In the first half, Allen got off to a slow start; but Midway failed to capitalize. On the Eagles’ second offensive drive, the Panthers’ defense forced the ball loose from quarterback Grant Tisdale; but receiver Darrion Sherfield recovered the ball at the Panther 43-yard line for an 18-yard gain. Eight plays later, Tisdale found the end zone on a seven-yard touchdown keeper. Midway appeared poised to respond, but Allen defensive back Mo Perkins intercepted Panther quarterback Nick Jiminez’s pass near the end zone. Despite starting at their own three-yard line, the Eagles drove the ball all the way to the Midway 15-yard line; and kicker James Griffith gave Allen a 10-0 lead with a 34-yard field goal. Griffith then missed a 28-yard attempt on the next Allen drive. Just before halftime, Mo Perkins cut another promising Midway drive short with his second interception of the game.

Beginning with the opening kickoff, the Panthers got the second half off to a disastrous start. Receiver Eli Garvin muffed the return, and the Eagles recovered the ball at the Midway 18-yard line. Tisdale then found the end zone again on a one-yard touchdown keeper. After the Allen defense forced Midway to turn the ball over on downs on the next drive, Tisdale connected with receiver Theo Wease on a 14-yard touchdown pass to give the Eagles a 23-0 lead. Following the Allen touchdown, Midway finally got on the board when Jiminez connected with receiver Demarcus Degrate for a 24-yard touchdown pass. The Eagles responded with a 24-yard touchdown pass from Tisdale to Wease, and defensive back Cornelius Williams scored on an 85-yard pick six to give Allen a 44-7 lead.

On the ensuing kickoff, the Panthers muffed the return again but were able to recover it. After the playoff, a brief scuffle broke out which resulted in unsportsmanlike-conduct penalties on both sides and the ejection of an Allen player. In the fourth quarter, backup quarterback Raylen Sharpe scored on a 19-yard touchdown keeper to bring the game to its final score of 51-7.

With the win, Allen improves to 14-0 overall. Next week, the Eagles will face the Duncanville Panthers at AT&T Stadium in Arlington at 4:00pm CST. The Panthers advanced to the 6A Division 1 semifinals after a 51-7 drubbing of their own over Southlake Carroll. Midway, meanwhile, finishes the season at 11-2.

by Steve Thomas