football4life
12-18-2005, 10:09 AM
Happy daze: Stratford 21, Big Sandy 20
Different ending means state title, euphoria for defensive-minded Elks
By Roger Clarkson
roger.clarkson@amarillo.com
ABILENE - Dynasty begins with the letter D for a reason. Stratford's defense corralled, frustrated and eventually stopped Big Sandy as the Elks edged the Wildcats, 21-20, in the Class 1A state championship game on Saturday.
Stratford won its second Class 1A state title since 2000 in a come-from-behind effort spearheaded by a defense that limited Big Sandy to 223 yards and six first downs. Big Sandy entered averaging 430 yards.
"This is completely indescribable," Stratford running back-linebacker Craig Kautz said. "I don't know what to think right now. We wanted this so much after last year, I can't believe it."
In 2004 Stratford lost to Shiner 33-19 in the state title game. Just three players - linebacker Brady Bell, defensive back Case Crabtree and defensive tackle Rudy Portillo - started both state title games.
"Our defense has been winning for us all year and they did it again," Stratford coach Eddie Metcalf said. "They are a very high-powered team and we had to make sure we didn't give up the big play. We did a couple of times, but for the most part we were able to shut them down."
Even with the impressive defensive effort, Stratford had to rally in the fourth quarter. Stratford trailed 20-14 with 11 minutes left after a 1-yard touchdown run by Brandon McCleveland.
"We'd been in that position before and we knew we had to get it done," Brady Bell said. "We just needed to execute like we did last week."
In the 21-17 state semifinal win last week, Stratford rallied to score a game-winning touchdown with about a minute left.
A 59-yard kickoff return gave Stratford momentum that ended in a go-ahead touchdown. Jeffrey Frizzell returned a kickoff to the Big Sandy 24. Stratford eventually drove to the 10. On third and 9 from the 10, Case Crabtree caught a 10-yard touchdown pass from Hunter Buckles.
"Coach Metcalf told me to get open," Crabtree said. "We'd run that play in the middle of the field before. But this time they wanted me to break it inside and then outside. The ball was right there and all I had to do was go get it."
Jonathan Licon converted the extra point kick and Stratford led 21-20 with 7:09 left.
"I wasn't thinking about anything," Licon said. "I was just thinking to go out and kick the ball. I knew it was going through."
Once staked to the lead, Stratford's defense had to turn back two fourth-quarter drives before it could claim the golden trophy. Stratford sent Big Sandy's offense back to the bench by holding it to three-and-out after the ensuing kickoff. Big Sandy forced a punt and took over at its own 11 with 4:39 left.
A 43-yard run by McCleveland set up the Wildcats at the Big Sandy 49 with about 3:30 left. But the Elks stiffened, and on fourth-and-15 from the Wildcats' 44, Buckles tipped away a pass intended for Zach Massingill at the Stratford 30.
"They were very explosive," Bell said. "We had to make sure we didn't give up anything cheap. We had to make sure we kept our assignments and finished them off."
Stratford controlled the run of play throughout. Stratford gave up three big offensive plays, a 96-yard touchdown pass, a 42-yard touchdown run and 43-yard run. Those three plays accounted for all but 42 of Big Sandy's total yards and half of its first downs.
"They were very good at what they did," Big Sandy coach Scott Callaway said. "They kept the ball away from us on offense. We really didn't have the ball that much and that might have helped keep us from getting into a rhythm."
Stratford used its ball-control running game to its advantage. The Elks gained 252 yards and clipped off 16 first downs. Kautz ran for 85 yards on 20 carries. Bell ran for 82 yards and a touchdown. Buckles completed 5-of-8 passes for 50 yards and a touchdown.
Things did not start well for Stratford as two Elks mistakes led to a quick 8-0 deficit. Kautz's 53-yard run gave the Elks first and goal at the Big Sandy 6 on the game's first drive.
However, Stratford fumbled the snap and Big Sandy recovered at the 4-yard line. On the next play, Massingill got loose behind the Elks secondary. Strickland found him for a 96-yard touchdown pass. Massingill's run on a fake PAT gave Big Sandy an 8-0 lead with 8:47 left in the first quarter.
"Things happen," Bell said. "We've given up big plays before. We needed to get back to playing like we're supposed to. We needed to keep our head up and not get discouraged."
Stratford marched down the field to its first score. Three encroachment penalties helped spur the 10-play, 55-yard drive. On fourth and 10 from the Big Sandy 20, Buckles hit Crabtree for a 14-yard gain.
On the next play Buckles took an option keeper around right end to the end zone. Licon's kick pulled the Elks within 8-7 with 2:10 left in the first quarter.
Stratford embarked on another cross-country, time-consuming drive for its second touchdown. The Elks bowled 72 yards in 11 plays, sparked by a 16-yard completion from Buckles to Pablo Ibarra. On fourth-and-one from the 10, Bell rumbled into the end zone and Stratford led 14-8 with 7:23 left in the first half.
Big Sandy scored on its first drive of the second half, going 63 yards in five plays, capped by a 42-yard touchdown run by Strickland. The extra point kick hit the crossbar and the game was tied 14-14 with 9:50 left in the third quarter.
A short punt set up the Wildcats with their next score. A 29-yard punt gave Big Sandy the ball back at the Stratford 31. Strickland converted a fourth-and-5 with a 15-yard run. McCleveland eventually punched in from 1-yard out. The extra point run failed and Big Sandy led 20-14 with 11 minutes left.
Stratford 21, Big Sandy 20
Records: Stratford finishes 15-1; Big Sandy finishes 14-2.
Impact: Stratford wins its second state title since 2000.
Key Stat: Jonathan Licon converts all three of his extra point kicks and Big Sandy converts only one of two.
Stratford 7 7 0 7 - 21
Big Sandy 8 0 6 6 - 20
BS: Zach Massingill 96 pass from Deroderick Strickland (Massingill run).
S: Hunter Buckles 6 run (Jonathan Licon kick).
S: Brady Bell 10 run (Licon kick).
BS: Strickland 42 run (kick failed).
BS: Brandon McCleveland 1 run (run failed).
S: Case Crabtree 10 pass from Buckles (Licon kick).
Stratford Big Sandy
First downs 16 6
Yards rushing 54-206 29-127
Yards passing 50 96
Total yards 256 223
C-A-I 5-8-0 1-6-0
Punts-avg. 4-33 5-42
Fumbles-lost 3-2 1-1
Penalties-yards 4-17 9-55
INDIVIDUAL STATS
RUSHING: STRATFORD: Craig Kautz 20-85, Brady Bell 14-82, Hunter Buckles 19-36, Jonathon Licon 1-3. Big Sandy: Brandon McCleveland 11-75, Deroderick Strickland 13-34, Devotric Johnson 2-9, Braylon Johnson 2-6, Vincent Montgomery 1-3.
PASSING: Stratford: Buckles 5-8-0, 50 .yards. Big Sandy: Strickland 1-6-0, 96 yards.
RECEIVING: Stratford: Case Crabtree 2-28, Pablo Ibarra 2-22, Brady Bell 1-0. Big Sandy: Zach Massingill 1-96.
Different ending means state title, euphoria for defensive-minded Elks
By Roger Clarkson
roger.clarkson@amarillo.com
ABILENE - Dynasty begins with the letter D for a reason. Stratford's defense corralled, frustrated and eventually stopped Big Sandy as the Elks edged the Wildcats, 21-20, in the Class 1A state championship game on Saturday.
Stratford won its second Class 1A state title since 2000 in a come-from-behind effort spearheaded by a defense that limited Big Sandy to 223 yards and six first downs. Big Sandy entered averaging 430 yards.
"This is completely indescribable," Stratford running back-linebacker Craig Kautz said. "I don't know what to think right now. We wanted this so much after last year, I can't believe it."
In 2004 Stratford lost to Shiner 33-19 in the state title game. Just three players - linebacker Brady Bell, defensive back Case Crabtree and defensive tackle Rudy Portillo - started both state title games.
"Our defense has been winning for us all year and they did it again," Stratford coach Eddie Metcalf said. "They are a very high-powered team and we had to make sure we didn't give up the big play. We did a couple of times, but for the most part we were able to shut them down."
Even with the impressive defensive effort, Stratford had to rally in the fourth quarter. Stratford trailed 20-14 with 11 minutes left after a 1-yard touchdown run by Brandon McCleveland.
"We'd been in that position before and we knew we had to get it done," Brady Bell said. "We just needed to execute like we did last week."
In the 21-17 state semifinal win last week, Stratford rallied to score a game-winning touchdown with about a minute left.
A 59-yard kickoff return gave Stratford momentum that ended in a go-ahead touchdown. Jeffrey Frizzell returned a kickoff to the Big Sandy 24. Stratford eventually drove to the 10. On third and 9 from the 10, Case Crabtree caught a 10-yard touchdown pass from Hunter Buckles.
"Coach Metcalf told me to get open," Crabtree said. "We'd run that play in the middle of the field before. But this time they wanted me to break it inside and then outside. The ball was right there and all I had to do was go get it."
Jonathan Licon converted the extra point kick and Stratford led 21-20 with 7:09 left.
"I wasn't thinking about anything," Licon said. "I was just thinking to go out and kick the ball. I knew it was going through."
Once staked to the lead, Stratford's defense had to turn back two fourth-quarter drives before it could claim the golden trophy. Stratford sent Big Sandy's offense back to the bench by holding it to three-and-out after the ensuing kickoff. Big Sandy forced a punt and took over at its own 11 with 4:39 left.
A 43-yard run by McCleveland set up the Wildcats at the Big Sandy 49 with about 3:30 left. But the Elks stiffened, and on fourth-and-15 from the Wildcats' 44, Buckles tipped away a pass intended for Zach Massingill at the Stratford 30.
"They were very explosive," Bell said. "We had to make sure we didn't give up anything cheap. We had to make sure we kept our assignments and finished them off."
Stratford controlled the run of play throughout. Stratford gave up three big offensive plays, a 96-yard touchdown pass, a 42-yard touchdown run and 43-yard run. Those three plays accounted for all but 42 of Big Sandy's total yards and half of its first downs.
"They were very good at what they did," Big Sandy coach Scott Callaway said. "They kept the ball away from us on offense. We really didn't have the ball that much and that might have helped keep us from getting into a rhythm."
Stratford used its ball-control running game to its advantage. The Elks gained 252 yards and clipped off 16 first downs. Kautz ran for 85 yards on 20 carries. Bell ran for 82 yards and a touchdown. Buckles completed 5-of-8 passes for 50 yards and a touchdown.
Things did not start well for Stratford as two Elks mistakes led to a quick 8-0 deficit. Kautz's 53-yard run gave the Elks first and goal at the Big Sandy 6 on the game's first drive.
However, Stratford fumbled the snap and Big Sandy recovered at the 4-yard line. On the next play, Massingill got loose behind the Elks secondary. Strickland found him for a 96-yard touchdown pass. Massingill's run on a fake PAT gave Big Sandy an 8-0 lead with 8:47 left in the first quarter.
"Things happen," Bell said. "We've given up big plays before. We needed to get back to playing like we're supposed to. We needed to keep our head up and not get discouraged."
Stratford marched down the field to its first score. Three encroachment penalties helped spur the 10-play, 55-yard drive. On fourth and 10 from the Big Sandy 20, Buckles hit Crabtree for a 14-yard gain.
On the next play Buckles took an option keeper around right end to the end zone. Licon's kick pulled the Elks within 8-7 with 2:10 left in the first quarter.
Stratford embarked on another cross-country, time-consuming drive for its second touchdown. The Elks bowled 72 yards in 11 plays, sparked by a 16-yard completion from Buckles to Pablo Ibarra. On fourth-and-one from the 10, Bell rumbled into the end zone and Stratford led 14-8 with 7:23 left in the first half.
Big Sandy scored on its first drive of the second half, going 63 yards in five plays, capped by a 42-yard touchdown run by Strickland. The extra point kick hit the crossbar and the game was tied 14-14 with 9:50 left in the third quarter.
A short punt set up the Wildcats with their next score. A 29-yard punt gave Big Sandy the ball back at the Stratford 31. Strickland converted a fourth-and-5 with a 15-yard run. McCleveland eventually punched in from 1-yard out. The extra point run failed and Big Sandy led 20-14 with 11 minutes left.
Stratford 21, Big Sandy 20
Records: Stratford finishes 15-1; Big Sandy finishes 14-2.
Impact: Stratford wins its second state title since 2000.
Key Stat: Jonathan Licon converts all three of his extra point kicks and Big Sandy converts only one of two.
Stratford 7 7 0 7 - 21
Big Sandy 8 0 6 6 - 20
BS: Zach Massingill 96 pass from Deroderick Strickland (Massingill run).
S: Hunter Buckles 6 run (Jonathan Licon kick).
S: Brady Bell 10 run (Licon kick).
BS: Strickland 42 run (kick failed).
BS: Brandon McCleveland 1 run (run failed).
S: Case Crabtree 10 pass from Buckles (Licon kick).
Stratford Big Sandy
First downs 16 6
Yards rushing 54-206 29-127
Yards passing 50 96
Total yards 256 223
C-A-I 5-8-0 1-6-0
Punts-avg. 4-33 5-42
Fumbles-lost 3-2 1-1
Penalties-yards 4-17 9-55
INDIVIDUAL STATS
RUSHING: STRATFORD: Craig Kautz 20-85, Brady Bell 14-82, Hunter Buckles 19-36, Jonathon Licon 1-3. Big Sandy: Brandon McCleveland 11-75, Deroderick Strickland 13-34, Devotric Johnson 2-9, Braylon Johnson 2-6, Vincent Montgomery 1-3.
PASSING: Stratford: Buckles 5-8-0, 50 .yards. Big Sandy: Strickland 1-6-0, 96 yards.
RECEIVING: Stratford: Case Crabtree 2-28, Pablo Ibarra 2-22, Brady Bell 1-0. Big Sandy: Zach Massingill 1-96.