Herald-Press Game Balls: Williams runs Indians to win over Elkhart

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September 10, 2012

Herald-Press Game Balls: Williams runs Indians to win over Elkhart

By JUSTIN RAINS Palestine Herald-Press The Palestine Herald-Press Mon Sep 10, 2012, 03:37 PM CDT

Friday night’s game between Elkhart and visiting Frankston was a big one for plenty of reasons.

First and foremost, it pitted against one another two teams still searching for their first win in 2012.

Also, it was the first time former Frankston head coach and current Elkhart athletic director faced his old team and his old offensive coordinator, Matt Nally.

While all of those storylines swirled before the game, afterwards, the storylines were just one: The play of Indians’ running back Caleb Williams.

The senior ran for 217 yards on only 20 carries in the win for Frankston, and scored both of his touchdowns in the fourth quarter, effectively putting the game away.

It was a breakout performance for the player trying to fill the shoes of Division I-bound back Treston Coleman.

DAMIYNE DURHAM, QB, OAKWOOD

For the past two seasons, Oakwood junior Damiyne Durham has been putting up ridiculous numbers for the Panthers offense.

On Friday night, it was no different.

Durham ran for 201 yards and five touchdowns, and threw for 187 more yards and two more scores to help the third-ranked Panthers (sixmanfootball.com rankings) top Zephyr in a big way, 72-26.

Durham and the Panthers get another test this Friday, when they travel to Division II No. 2 Milford.

AARYON ROBINSON, RB, WESTWOOD

Westwood running back Aaryon Robinson isn’t the feature-back of the Panthers’ attack. That title belongs to Keke Hicks.

But, with Hicks hobbled Friday night in Huntington, the Panthers turned to Robinson to help them hold on for a victory.

The senior was up to the task.

Robinson ran for 187 yards and a touchdown in the Panthers’ 20-18 victory over the Red Devils, despite being banged up himself.

His performance helped secure the Panthers their first win of 2012, and build some momentum heading into Friday’s homecoming matchup against Brownsboro.

CHANDLER RIGDON, QB, CAYUGA

Sophomore Chandler Rigdon just keeps making plays and putting up numbers for the Cayuga football team.

The first-year starter threw for 174 yards and ran for 115 more in the Wildcats’ 34-24 loss on the road to Mount Enterprise Friday.

He also ran for three touchdowns, the second week in a row that he’s accomplished that feat.

JADARRIUS BEASLEY, RB, PALESTINE

Heading into Friday night’s road game against Jacksonville, the Palestine football team was without Darrius Stephens, who a week earlier had run for 120 yards against La Vega.

Without Stephens, the Wildcats had more thunder (Ben Luckett, Jarrell Owens) in their backfield than lightning, a balance that Palestine likes to keep even.

Luckily for Palestine, Jadarrius Beasley was eager to provide some.

On only eight carries, the senior back ran for a game-high 108 yards in the Wildcats 37-20 victory over the Indians, including a 20-yard touchdown run.

EXTRA POINT

This week, we’re giving an honorary game ball to Palestine legend Adrian Peterson.

The Minnesota Vikings running back ran for 84 yards and two touchdowns, less than nine months after having major knee surgery.

Ever since the day he got injured, Peterson vowed to be back by opening day, despite plenty of doubters. On Sunday, he backed up that talk with a major performance to help the Vikings to a 26-23 overtime victory over Jacksonville.

———

Sports editor Justin Rains can be reached via email at jrains@palestineherald.com

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