kepdawg
12-16-2006, 10:23 PM
Second-half surge propels Celina into title game
Backup QB steps in and finds five ways to put points on scoreboard
09:06 PM CST on Saturday, December 16, 2006
By DAVID HINOJOSA / The Dallas Morning News
DENTON – As his jubilant team celebrated in the locker room, Celina coach Butch Ford was already putting together a game plan for his next opponent.
Some might have think that's a little early. Then again, Celina will be playing for the Class 3A Division II title.
Riding a second-half surge, Celina (15-0) pulled away for a 30-13 victory against Vernon (9-6) in a state semifinal Saturday at C.H. Collins Stadium.
Celina, which won its 31st straight game, plays Liberty Hill (12-2) for a record eighth state championship next Saturday at Baylor's Floyd Casey Stadium.
Free safety Dru Prosser, who doubled at quarterback when Seth Davis was sidelined with a stinger in his arm, threw a touchdown pass, rushed for another score, threw for a two-point conversion and kicked a 21-yard field goal – all in the second half.
Oh, and he converted an extra-point attempt.
Celina is seeking its sixth state title in nine years. It won the Class 2A Division II title last season.
Celina took control with touchdowns on its first two drives of the second half for a 27-6 lead. The ability to control the line of scrimmage paid dividends later as Vernon's defense tired.
"We needed to do something on offense," Ford said. "We felt like we hadn't done that. Those two drives were exactly what the doctor ordered. They determined the game."
Celina bottled up Vernon's offense, allowing only 127 yards – 66 in the second half. Vernon fullback Aston Whiteside had 108 of those yards, including a 40-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter.
"We knew [Whiteside] would probably break a long run," Celina senior Jamie Blatnick said. "He's a really good running back, and good running backs will do that. But we locked it up, and we're going to state."
Vernon took a 6-0 lead on Chase Graf's 15-yard run on its second play from scrimmage.
Celina tied the game at 6 on a 3-yard run by Davis.
Davis played a big part in Celina's first score of the second half. After punishing runs of 19 and 16 yards, however, Davis had to leave the game for a short time after suffering a stinger. Prosser capped the drive with a 4-yard touchdown run.
Prosser added a 4-yard scoring pass to Steven McCain.
Davis returned late in the third quarter and had an 18-yard run. Prosser and Davis combined for 194 of Celina's 315 total yards.
E-mail dhinojosa@dallasnews.com
Backup QB steps in and finds five ways to put points on scoreboard
09:06 PM CST on Saturday, December 16, 2006
By DAVID HINOJOSA / The Dallas Morning News
DENTON – As his jubilant team celebrated in the locker room, Celina coach Butch Ford was already putting together a game plan for his next opponent.
Some might have think that's a little early. Then again, Celina will be playing for the Class 3A Division II title.
Riding a second-half surge, Celina (15-0) pulled away for a 30-13 victory against Vernon (9-6) in a state semifinal Saturday at C.H. Collins Stadium.
Celina, which won its 31st straight game, plays Liberty Hill (12-2) for a record eighth state championship next Saturday at Baylor's Floyd Casey Stadium.
Free safety Dru Prosser, who doubled at quarterback when Seth Davis was sidelined with a stinger in his arm, threw a touchdown pass, rushed for another score, threw for a two-point conversion and kicked a 21-yard field goal – all in the second half.
Oh, and he converted an extra-point attempt.
Celina is seeking its sixth state title in nine years. It won the Class 2A Division II title last season.
Celina took control with touchdowns on its first two drives of the second half for a 27-6 lead. The ability to control the line of scrimmage paid dividends later as Vernon's defense tired.
"We needed to do something on offense," Ford said. "We felt like we hadn't done that. Those two drives were exactly what the doctor ordered. They determined the game."
Celina bottled up Vernon's offense, allowing only 127 yards – 66 in the second half. Vernon fullback Aston Whiteside had 108 of those yards, including a 40-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter.
"We knew [Whiteside] would probably break a long run," Celina senior Jamie Blatnick said. "He's a really good running back, and good running backs will do that. But we locked it up, and we're going to state."
Vernon took a 6-0 lead on Chase Graf's 15-yard run on its second play from scrimmage.
Celina tied the game at 6 on a 3-yard run by Davis.
Davis played a big part in Celina's first score of the second half. After punishing runs of 19 and 16 yards, however, Davis had to leave the game for a short time after suffering a stinger. Prosser capped the drive with a 4-yard touchdown run.
Prosser added a 4-yard scoring pass to Steven McCain.
Davis returned late in the third quarter and had an 18-yard run. Prosser and Davis combined for 194 of Celina's 315 total yards.
E-mail dhinojosa@dallasnews.com