ILS1
12-03-2005, 11:38 AM
By Rick Cantu
AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF
Saturday, December 03, 2005
HUTTO — In the rich tradition of Texas high school football, Cameron Yoe-Hutto is a storied rivalry that dates back to 2004.
OK, so Hutto-Yoe doesn't have the history of, say, Odessa Permian-Midland Lee. Still, players, coaches and fans from both sides might say, "Haven't we met before?" when they gather tonight for the teams' Class 3A, Division II quarterfinal game at the Round Rock ISD Athletic Complex.
Yes, they have. Twice, to be exact, and those games have been nothing short of spectacular. Tonight's third encounter, however, determines which team advances to the semifinal round of the state playoffs and which one drives unhappily home for the holidays.
The first time they played, Hutto spoiled Yoe's bid for an unbeaten regular season in '04, beating the Yoemen 38-35 in overtime. Last month, Yoe kept its '05 unbeaten record intact with a 17-13 victory over the Hippos.
For the Hippos and Yoemen, tonight's game is nothing short of the Super Bowl. The marquee in front of Hutto High School shows that the game is being played at "The Palace," a reference to the amenity-filled stadium in Round Rock.
"There are many 3A teams remaining in the playoffs," Hutto Coach Lee Penland said. "We have 20 seniors who don't want this to be their last game, and we have a coaching staff that doesn't want to let go of them."
What makes this game special is the familiarity between Hutto and Yoe. When Hutto was realigned from Class 2A to 3A last year, the Hippos found themselves in Yoe's district. Four rounds deep into the playoffs, District 19-3A still has two teams standing.
Something has to give.
Coming from small-dot-on-the-map towns, players from both teams are celebrities at home. Hutto quarterback Jeremy Kerley said he and his teammates often receive free meals at local restaurants. They can't go anywhere in town without being recognized.
"We've gone from a school with a quiet football tradition to one that's highly recognized," Kerley said.
Hutto (11-2) is seeking its first state football championship. Yoe (13-0) has its best team since 1981, the only year the Yoemen have been state champs.
"Football has always been a big deal in Cameron," Mayor Bill Meacham said Friday. "It's something the whole community looks forward to every year. When Cameron's not in the playoffs, it's a disaster . . . Kids grow up here with fathers and grandfathers who played in Cameron. Winning is the norm."
Yoe Coach Mike Mullins understands that the roots of football tradition run deep in this town of 6,500 residents.
"Football is the pulse of the community," Mullins said. "They look forward to getting in their cars and traveling behind the buses. It's always been like that."
The coach said his players will be whipped into a frenzy at 6:55 tonight, five minutes before kickoff.
Once the buzz of anticipation wears off, Mullins said, his team's main assignment will be containing a team that averages 222 yards rushing a game.
Yoe, which has allowed 9.3 points a game during the playoffs, is led on defense by three seniors — middle linebacker Efrain Valverde, defensive end Andrew Holt and outside linebacker Kendrick Pinchback.
Their mission is to chase Kerley and Hutto running back Jerrick Gauthier. Both have rushed for more than 1,000 yards this season.
As for Hutto's defense, the Hippos have yielded as many as 20 points in a game only twice this season.
"We've been waiting for this game from the moment we lost that 17-13 game to them (on Nov. 4)," Hutto offensive coordinator Mickey Bushong said.
The town of Hutto (population: about 5,000) has been waiting, too.
"This is the biggest game we'll play this week," Penland said. "Last week, the most important game of the season was last week's game."
In other words, tonight's winner will have an even bigger game next week. Still, that doesn't lessen the magnitude of tonight's game.
At kickoff tonight, Cameron will be a "ghost town," Meacham said. "There won't be anyone left."
The same can be said for Hutto.
Hutto vs. Cameron Yo
What: Class 3A, Division II quarterfinal
When: 7 p.m. today
Where: RRISD Athletic Complex
Records: Hutto is 11-2, Yoe is 13-0
Last meeting: The Yoemen beat the Hippos 17-13 earlier this season.
Link (www.statesman.com/sports/content/sports/stories/highschool/12/3HUTTO.html)
AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF
Saturday, December 03, 2005
HUTTO — In the rich tradition of Texas high school football, Cameron Yoe-Hutto is a storied rivalry that dates back to 2004.
OK, so Hutto-Yoe doesn't have the history of, say, Odessa Permian-Midland Lee. Still, players, coaches and fans from both sides might say, "Haven't we met before?" when they gather tonight for the teams' Class 3A, Division II quarterfinal game at the Round Rock ISD Athletic Complex.
Yes, they have. Twice, to be exact, and those games have been nothing short of spectacular. Tonight's third encounter, however, determines which team advances to the semifinal round of the state playoffs and which one drives unhappily home for the holidays.
The first time they played, Hutto spoiled Yoe's bid for an unbeaten regular season in '04, beating the Yoemen 38-35 in overtime. Last month, Yoe kept its '05 unbeaten record intact with a 17-13 victory over the Hippos.
For the Hippos and Yoemen, tonight's game is nothing short of the Super Bowl. The marquee in front of Hutto High School shows that the game is being played at "The Palace," a reference to the amenity-filled stadium in Round Rock.
"There are many 3A teams remaining in the playoffs," Hutto Coach Lee Penland said. "We have 20 seniors who don't want this to be their last game, and we have a coaching staff that doesn't want to let go of them."
What makes this game special is the familiarity between Hutto and Yoe. When Hutto was realigned from Class 2A to 3A last year, the Hippos found themselves in Yoe's district. Four rounds deep into the playoffs, District 19-3A still has two teams standing.
Something has to give.
Coming from small-dot-on-the-map towns, players from both teams are celebrities at home. Hutto quarterback Jeremy Kerley said he and his teammates often receive free meals at local restaurants. They can't go anywhere in town without being recognized.
"We've gone from a school with a quiet football tradition to one that's highly recognized," Kerley said.
Hutto (11-2) is seeking its first state football championship. Yoe (13-0) has its best team since 1981, the only year the Yoemen have been state champs.
"Football has always been a big deal in Cameron," Mayor Bill Meacham said Friday. "It's something the whole community looks forward to every year. When Cameron's not in the playoffs, it's a disaster . . . Kids grow up here with fathers and grandfathers who played in Cameron. Winning is the norm."
Yoe Coach Mike Mullins understands that the roots of football tradition run deep in this town of 6,500 residents.
"Football is the pulse of the community," Mullins said. "They look forward to getting in their cars and traveling behind the buses. It's always been like that."
The coach said his players will be whipped into a frenzy at 6:55 tonight, five minutes before kickoff.
Once the buzz of anticipation wears off, Mullins said, his team's main assignment will be containing a team that averages 222 yards rushing a game.
Yoe, which has allowed 9.3 points a game during the playoffs, is led on defense by three seniors — middle linebacker Efrain Valverde, defensive end Andrew Holt and outside linebacker Kendrick Pinchback.
Their mission is to chase Kerley and Hutto running back Jerrick Gauthier. Both have rushed for more than 1,000 yards this season.
As for Hutto's defense, the Hippos have yielded as many as 20 points in a game only twice this season.
"We've been waiting for this game from the moment we lost that 17-13 game to them (on Nov. 4)," Hutto offensive coordinator Mickey Bushong said.
The town of Hutto (population: about 5,000) has been waiting, too.
"This is the biggest game we'll play this week," Penland said. "Last week, the most important game of the season was last week's game."
In other words, tonight's winner will have an even bigger game next week. Still, that doesn't lessen the magnitude of tonight's game.
At kickoff tonight, Cameron will be a "ghost town," Meacham said. "There won't be anyone left."
The same can be said for Hutto.
Hutto vs. Cameron Yo
What: Class 3A, Division II quarterfinal
When: 7 p.m. today
Where: RRISD Athletic Complex
Records: Hutto is 11-2, Yoe is 13-0
Last meeting: The Yoemen beat the Hippos 17-13 earlier this season.
Link (www.statesman.com/sports/content/sports/stories/highschool/12/3HUTTO.html)