Archives > Sports > Schools
Print
E-mail
Comment
Rate
RSS
Share
Football: Hebron pastes Fossil Ridge, Ready for showdown with Allen
By Justin Thomas, jthomas@starlocalnews.com
Hebron's football team strung together a second consecutive win Thursday, heading on the road in a short week to cruise past Keller Fossil Ridge, 34-7.
Dezmond Wortham headlined a dominant rushing attack that saw the Hawks total 272 yards for six yards per clip. Wortham tallied 172 yards on 18 attempts with two touchdowns, while Vandy Parkes had eight rushes for 93 yards and a score to go with three catches for 37 yards and a touchdown.
"It wasn't too bad," said Brian Brazil, Hebron head coach. "We moved the ball well, but at the same time I thought we probably could have done a better job taking advantage of our opportunities and score more than 20 points in the first half. But our defense played really, really well."
"Carson played well," Brazil said, "and our line is improving. We broke off some long runs."
Defensively, Hebron limited Fossil Ridge to 211 yards, including just 45 rushing yards on 21 attempts.
"I was pleased," Brazil said. "They like to spread it around and throw it a bit. But they tried to run a bunch on us and couldn't really get anything going."
Brazil also credited the play of safety Jamal Adams following a game in which he had an interception, big kickoff return, a blocked field goal and 21-yard rush.
"He's such an explosive player," Brazil said. "He had a really nice night."
The Hawks seek a third consecutive win at 7:30 p.m. Friday when they travel to face Allen.
Allen and Hebron split their District 8-5A meetings the past two years with the Hawks' win being the Eagles only loss in district since 2005.
"We were looking for opponents when the district realignment came out in February," Brazil said. "And (Allen head coach Tom) Westerberg came up and asked if we wanted to play in Week Four. I didn't hesitate and said 'Lets do it.'
"They're a great program because of their tradition. You always look at them as a veteran team regardless of who is back and who they lost. And they always have a ton of depth; that's what makes a great program."
No. 3 Allen is out to a 3-0 start, including a 24-0 win against Southlake Carroll and a 37-20 victory over Cedar Hill. Both the Dragons and Longhorns are state-ranked.
"There isn't anything complicated about what they do," Brazil said. "It's just hard to stop. They try to mix in some different things, but there isn't any smoke and mirrors to it."
Brazil added the biggest difference he noticed between this year and the past two seasons when they met in district is Allen's defense.
"I think they're probably a little better this year," Brazil said. "Especially when you look at what they've done their first couple of games."
The biggest change on offense for Allen is at quarterback, where all-state wrestler Oliver Pierce and Kyler Murray (son of former A&M quarterback Kevin Murray) have shared time.
Pierce has completed 15-of-22 passes for 123 yards and three touchdowns while racking up 204 yards and three scores on the ground. He also has two catches for 17 yards after playing receiver for the Eagles last season. Murray has converted 12-of-25 throws for 216 and a score with one interception.
"Which is worse?" Brazil asked. "If Oliver isn't playing quarterback, then he is out there making plays at receiver and with the ball. He's a kid I really love to watch play. He plays so hard and plays with a lot of excitement and brings so many different things to the game."
Last season, Hebron led Allen in the second half before the Eagles closed with 21 unanswered points, including 14 in the fourth quarter en route to a 28-21 victory. Two years ago, Hebron rolled in facing an unbeaten Allen team and snapped the Eagles' lengthy home winning streak, 35-28.
"The biggest difference this year is that it isn't a district game," Brazil said. "That always puts a little more urgency on things. That could play a bit of a factor. But it's going to be a great environment and we're excited to go play. We know Allen isn't going to be intimidated and we're definitely not intimidated, either. Our goal is to go out there and shock a lot of folks. But we know we are going to have to play our best game to beat them. No doubt."
The following are comments from the readers.
In no way do they represent the view of Starlocalnews.com
In no way do they represent the view of Starlocalnews.com
You must register with a valid email to post comments.
Only your Member ID will be posted with the comments.
Only your Member ID will be posted with the comments.
Registered users sign in here:
Become a Registered User
- Return to: Hebron «
- Home «
- Top of Page ^
