2010 LSG Preview — Allen Eagles
August 8, 2010
Team: Allen Eagles
District: 8-5A
Click to read about Allens new stadium
Coach: Tom Westerberg (6 years) 66-12 at Allen (2nd All-Time in Allen history); 66-12 overall
Last Years Record: 10-2 overall 6-0 District
2009 Games:
at Longview (14-2) (L 25-28)
vs Monterey Prepa Tech, Mex (W 35-21)
vs Rockwall (4-6) (W 38-10)
at Euless Trinity (14-2) (W 35-28)
vs *Plano West (5-6) (W 55-6)
at *McKinney Boyd (4-6) (W 45-21)
vs *Plano (5-7) (W 51-7)
at *Dallas Jesuit (4-6) (W 55-14)
vs *Plano East (7-4) (W 51-28)
at *Wylie (3-7) (W 31-16)
Playoffs: Division II Area
vs Irving Nimitz (7-4) (W 35-0) Bi-District
vs Southlake Carroll (11-2) (2OT) (L 34-35) Area
Click to read about their wild playoff game vs. Southlake Carroll
2010 Schedule
28-Aug @ SMU vs. Cedar Hill 7:30
3-Sep @ Justin Northwest 7:30
10-Sep vs. Longview 7:30
24-Sep vs. Plano 7:30*
1-Oct @ Lewisville 7:30*
8-Oct vs. Plano East 7:30*
15-Oct @ Plano West 7:30*
22-Oct vs. Flower Mound Marcus 7:30*
29-Oct vs. Lewisville Hebron 7:30*
5-Nov @ Flower Mound 7:30*
Returning Lettermen: 42
Returning Starters: Offense: 3 Defense: 1
Key Players:
RB Kyree Owens 585 yards 7 TDs
RB Paul Walker 626 yards 7 TDs
RB JR Jonathan Williams
WR Jonathan Lee 53-1013 16 TDs receiving Committed to Baylor TOP 20 WR
WR Blake Boyd
OL Brad McNulty 3 star TOP 25 OL
DL Matt Garrity
LB Melvin Spears 90 tackles TOP 20 LB
LB JR Chris Hudson
LB JR Brandyn Bolling
Notes:
* Only 4 starters return but they do have 42 lettermen coming back
* Expect the Eagles to go 8-2 or 9-1 in the regular season and win the district title
* They will probably be a Division II team again despite their 5000 student enrollment
* Possible 1st round opponent might be Southlake Carroll or Denton Guyer
History:
11 CONSECUTIVE WINNING SEASONS
7 consecutive 9+ win seasons
4 consecutive 10+ win seasons
All time record: 316-215-10 59.33% 541 games
0-5 vs. Southlake Carroll (all playoff games) since 2003 (2003 (semifinals), 2004 (Area), 2005 (Area), 2006 (Semifinals), 2009 (Area))
Playoff Appearances (21)
1962,1965,1969,1973,1980,1983,1986,1987,1996,1997,1999,2000,2001,2002,2003,2004,2005,2006,2007,2008,2009
Bi-District — 1965, 1969, 1983, 1997, 1999, 2007
Area — 2000, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2009
Regionals — 1962, 1973, 1980, 1986, 1987, 1996, 2001
Semifinals — 2003, 2006
Champions — 2008
Championship History: Allen (1) 1-0
2008 5A Division I Allen 21, Fort Bend Hightower 14
Last 5 year record: 57-9
Last 10 year record: 106-24
By: Chris Doelle & Michael Wright
Lone Star Gridiron
www.lonestargridiron.com
Allen to build $60 MILLION stadium!
April 15, 2010
The 2008 5A Division I champion, Allen High School, which has long been known for extremes (a band made up of over 600 students) and their stadium will be no different.
The new home of the Allen Eagles will feature 18,000 seats and a high-tech video scoreboard and is part of a larger $120 million bond package passed in May 2009 that included nearly as much money for a new auditorium.
Fans of the new stadium cite that the new stadium is needed because the team and community has outgrown its current facility. The current stadium originally held less than 8,000 spectators. When the community grew and the Allen football program improved, the school added extra bleachers to expand the seating to 12,000.
Allen seems to have no trouble attracting fans recently as they have had playoff games recently which attracted as many as 50,000 spectators.
Chris Doelle
The Allen Independent School District published their bond project proposal update earlier this year.
Coaching Changes — Waco Midway
March 28, 2010
Waco Midway has hired Terry Gambill to take over the head coaching job after Kent Bachtel retired at the end of the 2009 season.
Bachtel was the head coach at Midway for the last 24 years and ends his career there with a 157-105-1 record. His overall coaching record is 170-142-1 which is good enough to rank #151 on the all-time coaching wins list.
The complete list can be found at http://www.lonestargridiron.com/historyrecords/all-time-coaching-wins/
Bachtel’s retirement marked the third straight season that a long tenured coach at one of the three biggest Waco high schools has left. Waco University replaced 26 year head coach LeRoy Coleman and last year Johnny Tusa retired at Waco High after 23 years.
Gambill has spent the last nine years as the assistant head coach and defensive coordinator at 5A Allen. His coaching experience includes Forney, Duncanville and Southlake Carroll.
The Panthers finished up 9-3 last season and went 12-2 in 2008. They will have to travel a lot over the next two seasons with a newly created 8-4A district which includes Killeen, Stephenville and San Angelo Lake View onlong with University and Waco High.
By: Michael Wright
Lone Star Gridiron
www.lonestargridiron.com
LSG Preview — Allen Eagles
August 2, 2009
Team: Allen Eagles
District: 8-5A
Coach: Tom Westerberg (5 years) 66-10 at Allen (2nd All-Time in Allen history); 56-10 overall
Last Years Record: 15-1 overall 6-0 Distirct
2008 Games:
vs Longview (13-3) (W 21-7)
at Monterrey Tech, Mex (W 55-15)
at Rockwall (4-6) (W 24-6)
vs Euless Trinity (13-1) (L 14-24)
at *Plano West (5-6) (W 37-14)
vs *McKinney Boyd (3-7) (W 42-0)
at *Plano (10-2) (W 56-23)
vs *Dallas Jesuit (3-7) (W 49-17)
at *Plano East (1-9) (W 30-14)
vs *Wylie (13-3) (W 31-28)
Playoffs: Division I Championship
Won 27-14 vs South Grand Prairie (7-4) — Bi-District
Won 56-28 vs Coppell (8-4) — Area
Won 28-22 vs Odessa Permian (12-1) — Regionals
Won 34-21 vs Euless Trinity (13-1) — Quarterfinals
Won 23-21 vs Round Rock Stony Point (13-2) — Semifinals
Won 21-14 vs Fort Bend Hightower (13-1) — Championship
**Live Blog** 5A Division I Championship Hightower vs. Allen
http://www.lonestargridiron.com/2008/12/20/live-blog-5a-division-i-championship-hightower-vs-allen
To read the article about the Championship game go to:
http://www.lonestargridiron.com/2008/12/21/the-allen-eagles-win-the-5a-division-i-championship
Returning Lettermen: 50
Returning Starters: Offense: 6 Defense: 2
Key Players:
QB Matt Brown 6-0, 175, 4.6 1973 yrds passing 62.2% 27 TDs 10 INTs 1131 yrds rushing 7.6 avg 13 TDs Shoulder injury in the playoffs last year Committed to Arizona 2nd Team All-State
QB Tucker Carter — 832 yards 9 TDs passing, QB’d the team after the 2nd round of the playoffs including the Championship game
OL Cedric Ogbuehi 1st Team All-State Best blocker on team committed to Texas A&M
OL Luke Burleson
OL Taylor Pearson
C Richard Greer
DE La Christopher Anyiam
OLB Mitch Hartshorne
OLB Brandon Henry
CB Josh Reed
Notes:
Ten Allen players went on to join College teams off of last years Championship team. With that fact alone, this should be a rebuilding year for the Eagles. The fact is though, the 2009 team could even be better and make a repeat trip back the championship game. They have two really good quarterbacks. Matt Brown was 2nd Team all-state last year and all hope seemed to be lost when he was injured in the 2nd round of the playoffs last year but Tucker Carter stepped up and did a great job leading them to their first championship. with 50 lettermen returning and a great offensive line along with a very good defense, expect a 8-2 or 9-1 regular season (only because they play one of the toughest pre-district schedules in the state) and a trip to at least the quarterfinals.
History:
10 CONSECUTIVE WINNING SEASONS
6 consecutive 9+ win seasons
3 consecutive 10+ win seasons
All time record: 306-213-10 58.79% 529 games
Playoff Appearances (20) 1962,65,69,73,80,83,86,87,96,97,99,2000,01,02,03,04,05,06,07,08
Bi-District — 1965, 69, 83, 97, 99, 2007
Area — 2000, 02, 04, 05
Regionals — 1962, 73, 80, 86, 87, 96, 2001
Semifinals — 2003, 06
Champions — 2008
Championship History: Allen (1) 1-0
2008 5A Division I Allen 21, Fort Bend Hightower 14
Last 5 year record: 56-10
Last 10 year record: 104-25
By: Michael Wright
Lone Star Gridiron
www.lonestargridiron.com
Rockwall Division I State Qualifying Tournament Pools
June 24, 2009
Here are the pools, stats and of course my predictions for the Rockwall State Qualifying Tournament
Pool A: Rockwall, Arlington Lamar, Mansfield Legacy, Nevada Community
Rockwall and Mansfield Legacy have each gone 3-6 in SQT play this year. Nevada Community is a 3A team that did not qualify at a Division II SQT earlier in the season. Arlington Lamar has already qualified.
Mike’s Pick: Rockwall
Pool B: Garland Lakeview, Rowlett, Midlothian, Lewisville
Rowlett has gone 0-3 so far this year in SQT play. Midlothian has gone 3-8 while Lewisville has gone 3-9. A combined 6-20 in SQT play from those 3 teams. Garland Lakeview has already qualified.
Mike’s Pick: Lewisville
Pool C: Tyler Lee, Garland, Rockwall-Heath, Arlington Seguin
Garland has an overall 4-3 record in SQT play making it to the semifinals at the Mesquite SQT. Arlington Seguin is 3-4 and they also made it to the semifinals at the Mesquite SQT. Rockwall-Heath went 1-2 last week. Tyler Lee has already qualified.
Mike’s Pick: Garland
Pool D: Plano, Allen, Wylie, Garland Naaman Forest
Allen has not participated in an SQT this year but they will bring lost of talent like QB Matt Brown. Wylie is 4-5 in SQT play this year including a 20-50 loss to pool opponent Plano. Garland Naaman Forest is 0-3 this year including a 20-61 loss to Plano. Plano has already qualified.
Mike’s Pick: Allen
Semifinals Picks:
Rockwall over Lewisville
Allen over Garland
By: Michael Wright
Lone Star Gridiron
www.lonestargridiron.com
Allen Eagles 2009 Schedule
May 18, 2009
The 5A Division I Champion Allen Eagles have announced their 2009 schedule and it is once again, one of the toughest in the state. They have Longview (4A Division I Runner-Up), Euless Trinity and Wylie (5A Division II Runner-Up) all on the road. They will also host Monterrey Tech Mexico and Plano.
Varsity Schedule for 2009
DATE TEAM SITE TIME
Aug. 21 (scrim) Arlington Martin Eagle Stadium 7:30
Aug. 28 Longview Longview 7:30
*Sept. 3 (Thurs) Monterrey Tech Eagle Stadium 7:00 *
Sept. 11 Rockwall (Homecoming) Eagle Stadium 7:30
Sept. 18 Euless Trinity Pennington Stadium 7:30
Sept. 25 Plano West Eagle Stadium 7:30
Oct. 2 OPEN
*Oct. 8 (Thurs) McKinney Boyd MISD Stadium 7:00*
Oct. 16 Plano Eagle Stadium 7:30
Oct. 23 Jesuit SMU 7:30
Oct. 30 Plano East (Senior Night) Eagle Stadium 7:30
Nov. 6 Wylie Wylie 7:30
Looking Back At Class 5A
January 12, 2009
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It is now time to look back and see how those pre-season rankings in August stacked up. Looking at the pre-season Class 5A Top 25, 24 of the 25 teams made the playoffs. The top 25 included both Champions, one semifinalist and three quarterfinalist.
The Allen Eagles won the Division I title after starting out the pre-season as the #5 overall team. In Division II, the Katy Tigers won their 2nd consecutive title. They were the pre-season #7 team and 3rd ranked team in Division II.
Allen had the toughest rode to the Championship beating 3 pre-season Top 25 teams. Smithson Valley (pre-Season #34), Wylie (pre-Season #55), Copperas Cove (pre-Season #51) and Fort Bend Hightower (pre-Season #26) each defeated two pre-season top 25 teams along the way.
Lone Star Gridirons Pre-Season Top 25 with final record and Where they finished:
1. Euless Trinity Trojans (13-1) — Division I QuarterFinals
2. Plano Wildcats (10-2) — Division I Area
3. Galena Park North Shore Mustangs (9-1) — Division I Area
4. Southlake Carroll Dragons (8-3) — Division II Area
5. Allen Eagles (15-1) — Division I Champion
6. Abilene Eagles (10-1) — Division II BiDistrict
7. Katy Tigers (13-3) — Division II Champion
8. Odessa Permian Panthers (12-1) — Division I Regionals
9. Lufkin Panthers (7-5) — Division II Area
10. Spring Westfield Mustangs (5-4) — Division I BiDistrict
11. Beaumont Westbrook Bruins (7-2) — Division II Area
12. Pflugerville Panthers (8-3) — Division II BiDistrict
13. Cypress Ridge Rams (9-3) — Division II Regionals
14. Converse Judson Rockets (8-3) — Division I BiDistrict
15. Dallas Skyline Raiders (12-2) — Division I QuarterFinals
16. Pearland Oilers (12-1) — Division I QuarterFinals
17. San Antonio Warren Warriors (9-3) — Division II Area
18. Houston Aldine Eisenhower Eagles (7-3) — Division I Area
19. Houston Lamar Redskins (8-2) — Division I Area
20. Arlington Bowie Volunteers (11-2) — Division II Regionals
21. San Antonio Southwest Dragons (9-4) — Division II Regionals
22. Lewisville-Hebron Hawks (8-4) — Division II Area
23. Round Rock Stony Point Tigers (13-2) — Division I SemiFinals
24. Garland Naaman Forest Rangers (9-3) — Division II Area
25. Keller Fossil Ridge Panthers (2-8) — Missed Playoffs
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By: Michael Wright
Lone Star Gridiron
www.lonestargridiron.com
5A DIVISION I Playoff Results — 2008
January 6, 2009
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5A DIVISION I
Region I
Bi-district
Odessa 54, EP Franklin 24
Arlington High School 21, North Crowley 0
Euless Trinity 24, Lewisville Marcus 10
Plano 42, Duncanville 15
Odessa Permian 62, EP El Dorado 14
Burleson 26, Arlington Martin 21
Coppell 31, Justin Northwest 17
Allen 27, South Grand Prairie 14
Area
Arlington 28, Odessa 27
Euless Trinity 42, Plano 35
Odessa Permian 56, Burleson 21
Allen 56, Coppell 28
Regional
Euless Trinity 48, Arlington 14
Allen 28, Odessa Permian 22
Region II
Bi-district
Dallas Skyline 40, Rowlett 21
DeSoto 40, Temple 14
Klein Forest 13, Conroe 7
Cypress Woods 21, Georgetown 20
Garland 27, Richardson Berkner 3
Tyler Lee 13, A&M Consolidated 3
The Woodlands 24, Spring Westfield 6
Round Rock Stony Point 41, Houston Langham Creek 7
Area
Dallas Skyline 51, DeSoto 26
Cypress Woods 22, Klein Forest 15
Garland 13, Tyler Lee 10
Round Rock Stony Point 21, The Woodlands 7
Regional
Dallas Skyline 35, Cypress Woods 21
Round Rock Stony Point 38, Garland 6
Region III
Bi-district
Katy Cinco Ranch 50, Alief Taylor 14
Aldine Eisenhower 23, Houston Westside 3
Galena Park North Shore 30, Deer Park 10
Fort Bend Hightower 59, League City Clear Creek 17
Katy Taylor 17, Houston Memorial 3
Houston Lamar 19, Humble Kingwood 14
Pearland 39, Baytown Sterling 15
Houston Clear Lake 21, Fort Bend Kempner 7
Area
Katy Cinco Ranch 62, Aldine Eisenhower 21
Fort Bend Hightower 28, Galena Park North Shore 21
Katy Taylor 17, Houston Lamar 13
Pearland 34, Houston Clear Lake 28 OT
Regional
Fort Bend Hightower 24, Katy Cinco Ranch 24
Pearland 35, Katy Taylor 7
Region IV
Bi-district
Austin Westlake 42, SA Roosevelt 21
SA Stevens 14, Converse Judson 12
Laredo United 46, Donna 7
PSJA 24, Brownsville Pace 7
SA Madison 19, Austin Bowie 14
SA Clark 49, Victoria Memorial 0
Mission Sharyland 35, Del Rio 18
Harlingen 63, Weslaco 14
Area
Austin Westlake 42, SA Stevens 7
Harlingen 35, Laredo United 7
San Antonio Clark 28, San Antonio Madison 21
Mission Sharyland 28, PSJA 13
Regional
Austin Westlake 49, Harlingen 23
San Antonio Clark 49, Mission Sharyland 21
State Quarterfinals
Allen 34, Euless Trinity 21
Fort Bend Hightower 38, Pearland 21
Round Rock Stony Point 28, Dallas Skyline 14
San Antonio Clark 24, Austin Westlake 21
State Semifinals
Allen 23, Round Rock Stony Point 21
Fort Bend Hightower 28, SA Clark 7
State Championship
Allen 21, Fort Bend Hightower 14
8-5A All-District Teams — 2008
December 29, 2008
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8-5A All-District Teams — 2008
District MVP:
Rex Burkhead (RB) Plano Sr. 5′11 205
Player of the Year –Offense:
Matt Brown (QB) Allen Jr. 6′1 180
Player of the Year –Defense:
Nikita Whitlock (NG) Wylie Sr. 5′11 240
Newcomer – Offense:
Jonovan Griffin (QB) McKinney Boyd So. 5′10 185
Newcomer – Defense:
Nathan Broussard (OLB) Plano West So. 6′4 220
Coach of the Year
Tom Westerberg Allen
First Team Offense All-District
Offense
Quarterbacks: Matt Brown Allen Jr. 6′1 180
Carson Meger Plano Sr. 5′11 185
Jerod Monk Wylie Sr. 6′5 240
Running Backs: Rex Burkhead Plano Sr. 5′11 205
Jeremiah Williams Allen Sr. 5′11 185
Kyle Van De Ven Jesuit Sr. 5′9 170
Daryn Alves McKinney Boyd Jr. 5′7 155
Toben Opurum Plano East Sr. 6′2 235
Nick Knott Wylie Jr. 5′10 170
Wide Receivers: Dakarai Pecikonis Allen Sr. 5′11 165
Rodney Thompson Plano East Sr. 5′10 170
Kris Lott Plano Sr. 6′2 205
Sean Ballard Plano West Jr. 5′10 170
Colby Harper Wylie Jr. 6′1 170
Tight End: Jake Allyn Jesuit Sr. 6′3 215
Ashton Williams Plano Jr. 6′3 200
Noah Cheshier Wylie Jr. 6′3 240
Offensive Linemen: Richard Greer Allen Jr. 6′2 280
Andrew Mack Plano West Sr. 6′2 270
Cedric Ogbuehi Allen Jr. 6′5 260
Eric Tausch Jesuit Sr. 6′3 285
Hanur Kim Plano Sr. 6′3 260
Mitchell Crouch Plano West Sr. 6′6 270
Heath Smith Wylie Sr. 6′1 295
Michael Boyefio Wylie Sr. 6′2 295
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Defense
Defensive Linemen: Nikita Whitlock Wylie Sr. 5′11 240
Nate Bonsu Allen Sr. 6′1 265
Jake Brendel Plano East So. 6′4 240
Preston Leahy Plano Sr. 6′2 225
Ameen Vehbahani Plano West Sr. 6′2 270
John Pittman Wylie Sr. 6′1 255
LaChristopher Anyiam Allen Sr. 6′4 250
Cory Jackson Allen Sr. 6′1 240
Colton Moseley Jesuit Sr. 6′3 215
Luke Terrell Plano Sr. 6′1 210
Jackson Jeffcoat Plano West Jr. 6′4 230
James Carter Wylie Jr. 6′0 185
Linebackers: Matt McBride Allen Sr. 6′0 215
Toby Ball Wylie Jr. 6′0 200
Izzy Eziakor Wylie Sr. 5′11 190
Matt Edwards Allen Sr. 6′2 205
Michael Liu Plano Sr. 5′11 165
Tyler Mathers Wylie So. 5′11 180
Defensive Backs: Jeremy Reeves Allen Sr. 5′7 160
Andrew Caufman Plano Sr. 6′0 175
Chance Hutcheson Plano West Sr. 5′10 160
Daniel Jordan Wylie Sr. 5′11 170
Steven Terrell Allen Sr. 5′10 175
Josh Peprah Plano East Sr. 6′0 200
Alan Menchaca Wylie Sr. 5′11 180
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Special Teams
Kicker Nick Tausch Jesuit Sr. 6′1 175
Punter Nick Tausch Jesuit Sr. 6′1 175
Bryce Eckeberger Plano Sr. 6′0 150
Second Team Offense All-District
Offense
Quarterbacks: Brent Miller Jesuit Sr. 6′2 190
Travis Wilson Plano West Sr. 6′2 180
Running Backs: Sam Crain Jesuit Sr. 6′2 205
D’Lyle Washington Plano East Jr. 5′10 180
D.J. Cohen Plano West Sr. 5′10 185
Jarrett Horan Plano West So. 5′8 155
Johnny Jones Wylie Sr. 5′10 190
Wide Receivers: Bradlee Waddell Allen Sr. 5′8 180
Patrick O’Neal Jesuit Jr. 5′10 160
Grant Gibson McKinney Boyd Sr. 6′1 170
Ryan Garrey Plano East So. 5′10 160
Holt Hoetger Plano Jr. 6′3 190
Kenny Chatmon Plano West Sr. 5′8 150
Justin Thompson Wylie Sr. 6′1 180
Tight End Matt Janette Plano East Sr. 5′11 200
Offensvie Linemen: Patrick Rhatican Jesuit Sr. 6′0 260
Paul Finnie Wylie Jr. 6′3 290
Taylor Pearson Allen Jr. 6′5 265
Brandon Haynes Jesuit Sr. 6′3 295
Clark Cregg Plano East Sr. 6′3 250
Chase Howland Plano East Sr. 6′3 310
Jordan Talley Plano Sr. 6′1 235
Justin Boyde Plano Sr. 5′10 230
Caleb Moore Wylie Sr. 6′0 290
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Defense
Defensive Linemen: Keith Owens McKinney Boyd Jr. 5′10 220
Darius Hood Plano East So. 6′0 240
Devan Drake Wylie Jr. 6′0 235
Cody Garrett McKinney Boyd Sr. 6′1 195
Conrad Bongo Plano East Sr. 6′0 200
Alex LaButis Plano Jr. 6′0 185
Linebackers: Cheyenne Urban Allen Jr. 6′0 215
Reid Lyness Plano Sr. 6′0 175
Jason Butler Allen Sr. 5′11 205
Jack Percy Jesuit Sr. 5′9 170
Phillip Hale Plano Sr. 5′11 175
Defensive Backs: Tyler Lamberson Allen Sr. 5′9 160
C.J. Haley Jesuit Sr. 6′0 170
Sebastian Phenix Plano East Sr. 5′9 160
Josh Reed Allen Jr. 6′0 165
LaRon Kelly Plano Sr. 5′11 180
Reed Dillard Plano West Sr. 5′10 170
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Special Teams
Kicker Bryce Eckeberger Plano Sr. 6′0 150
Zac Ohannessian Wylie Jr. 5′9 165
Punter Alex Budihar Allen Sr. 5′10 165
The Allen Eagles Win The 5A Division I Championship
December 21, 2008
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The Allen Eagles (15-1) come up with a big 2nd half to beat the Fort Bend Hightower Hurricanes (13-1) and win the 5A Division I Championship at Reliant Stadium Saturday night 21-14. This was the first championship appearance for either team.
Allen started the game and drove the ball to the Hightower 44 before being pushed back 10 yards on consecutive plays. The Hurricanes first possession will start at their 12 yard line. On the 3rd play of the drive WR Darius Johnson caught a pass, made some great moves and took it down the sideline for what appeared to be a TD but he was ruled out of bounds at the Allen 42. Three plays later, Johnson took a end round for those 42 yards and a TD. The XP is good and Hightower led 7-0 with 7:18 left in the 1st quarter. It was a 5 play, 88 yard drive that took 2:16. Allen is able to pick up 4 first downs on their next drive before DB Alex Francis picks off a pass to the end zone with 2:41 remaining in the 1st quarter. A 22 yard run by Johnson moves to the ball to the 47. Two plays later, the Eagles recover a fumble at their 35. They run for 5 yards on the next play and the 1st quarter ends with the Hurricanes leading the Eagles 7-0.
Stats
Rushing H — 72 A — 1
Passing H — 61 A — 68
Total H — 133 A — 69
1st Downs H — 3 A — 4
Three plays into the 2nd quarter, Allen lines up to go for a 4th and 1 at their 44 but they do a quick kick and it is downed at the Hightower 14. The Hurricanes pick up 4 1st downs on their way to the Allen 1 yard line where they decide to go for it on 4th and goal. The fade pass to Johnson is incomplete and Allen takes over on downs at their 1 yard line. The pass was knocked down on a great play by DB Jeremy Reeves who had single coverage. The Eagles pick up 2 first downs but turn over the ball on a fumble a their 35 with 1:48 remaining. Dele Junaid stripped the ball and a great hit and Tomas Luna recovered for Hightower. The Hurricanes settle for a 37 yard field goal attempt but it was partially blocked and to the left. The Eagles run out the final 30 seconds to end the half with the Hurricanes still leading the Eagles 7-0.
Stats
First Downs H — 9 A — 7
Rushing H 19-121 A — 13-13
Passing H 102 A — 104
Turnovers H 1 A – 2
Hightower: 223 total yards — QB AJ Highmsith 6-10, 102 yards … WR Darius Johnson 5-96 receiving and 1-42 rushing (TD)
Allen 117 total yards — QB Tucker Carter 10-14, 104 yards, INT …. allen has just 13 yards on 13 rushes
Hightower Defense
Shaun Lewis 8 tackles 1.5 sacks 2 TFL
Colton Valencia 3 tackles
Uchenna Nwabuike 3 tackles
Dele Junaid 3 tackles
Allen Defense
Josh Reed 4 tackles
Jason Butler 3 tackles 1 TFL
Cheyenne Urban 3 tackles
LaChris Anyiam 3 tackles
The Hurricanes start with the ball to begin the 3rd quarter. They convert on three 3rd down plays but a holding penalty stops the drive and they attempt a 46 yard field goal which is short and the score remains 7-0 with Hightower in the lead. 6:07 remains in the 3rd quarter. Hightower has a big edge in yardage, out gaining the Eagles 271-117. Allen then drove to the Hightower 2 yard line highlighted by 3 passes to Dakarai Pecikonis. The final pass was to Jeremiah Williams for the TD from 3 yards out. The XP is good and the score is now tied at 7 with 2:59 left in the 3rd quarter.
This was a 9 play 71 yard drive that took up 3:08. The other key play on that drive was when Allen went for it on 4th and 1 at their own 38. The Eagles pick up 2 first downs and have a 2nd and 16 at their 47 when the 3rd quarter ends. The teams are locked at 7 points apiece with just 12 minutes remaining.
Stats
Rushing Hightower — 169 Allen — 10
Rushing Hightower — 131 Allen — 178
Total Hightower — 300 Allen — 188
1st Downs Hightower — 14 Allen — 11
The teams trade punts to open the 3rd and after a 53 yard punt, the Hurricanes have the ball at their 36 with 9:51 left in the game. After a 19 yard completion, the next pass is picked off by Mitch Hartshorne and he takes it 26 yards to the Hightower 37. On the first play after the turnover, there is a blown coverage in the secondary and QB Tucker Carter hits a wide open Marcus Thomas for the TD. The XP is good and the score is now Allen 14 and Hightower 7 with 9:05 left in the game. That was a 1 play 37 yard drive that took 0:07. The Hurricanes lose 15 yards on their next set of downs and punt from their own 3 yard line. The Eagles get a good return and take over at the Hightower 25 yard line with 6:35 remaining. The Eagles run an End around by Jeremy Reeves and he takes it in for the TD but their is a flag down at the 5 yard line and they are called for holding. Four plays later, Carter passes to Justin Robinson and he takes it in for the TD just inside the pylons. The XP is good and the new score is now Allen 21 and Hightower 7 with 5:17 remaining in the game. The drive was 5 plays 25 yards and took 1:18. The kickoff to Hightower is taken by Darius Johson returns it 77 yards to the Allen 11 yard line. On the next play Highsmiths pass is to Bryce Edwards and he fights his way into the end zone for the TD. The XP is good and the new score is Allen 21 Hightower 14 with 5:00 remaining. The drive was 1 play 11 yards that took 0:04. Allen goes 3 and out but a running into the kicker gives them a fourth down and a foot with 3:58 left. They go for it and make the first down on a quick pass. Allen goes another 3 plays and face a 4th an 2 at the Hightower 38. Another pass is complete for a 1st down at the 23 with 2:30 remaining. The Eagles go for it again on 4th down at the Hightower 15 and the reverse is stuffed and the Hurricanes have one more chance from their own 15 with 1:03 remaining. The Hurricanes have it at their 34 with 10 seconds left when Highsmiths pass is completed to receiver who steps out of bounds. The clock shows 0:00 and Allen has won their first state championship with a 21-14 victory over Hightower.
Final Stats
First Downs H — 19 A– 15
Rushes-Yards H – 34-152 A – 28-52
Passing Yrds H — 219 A — 238
Passes H – 16 of 29 A — 21 of 30
Total Yrds H — 371 A — 290
Turnovers H — 2 A — 2
Hurricane Stats
QB Highsmith 16-27 1 INT 1 TD 219 yards 60 yards rushing
WR Darius Johnson 5 catches 96 yards 60 yards rushing
WR Bryce Edwards 5 catches 51 yards 1 TD
Shaun Lewis 16 tackles 1.5 sacks 3 TFL
Dele Junaid 7 tackles 1 TFL
Phillip Steward 5 tackles 1 TFL
Uchenna Nwabuike 5 tackles
Eagle Stats
QB Tucker Carter 21 of 30 1 INT 3 TDs
WR Bradlee Waddell 6 catches for 73 yards
Dakari Peckonis 4 catches 87 yards
Jason Butler 9 tackles 1 TFL
La Chris Anyiam 5 tackles 1 TFL
Jeremy Reeves 5 tackles
Josh Reed 4 tackles
Photos by Diana Porter
