Local Sports
Related Photos
-
Lauren Kimbrough/For the Herald-Press
Discussion
Defense looks for another strong performance
By SCOTT TYLER
Sports Editor
The Palestine defense stepped up to the challenge last week in stopping a potent Westwood offense to help the Wildcats clinch a playoff spot.
With the stakes higher this week, the Palestine defense will have to do the same thing against another high-scoring offense in Mexia.
“They remind me a lot of Westwood,” Palestine head coach Booker Bowie said of Mexia’s offense. “They have a good quarterback and running back and they are real versatile.”
Palestine shut down Westwood’s offense, which had been averaging nearly 30 points a game coming into Wildcat Stadium last week. But the Wildcats limited Westwood to only one score and less than 200 yards.
“Last week we had one of the best efforts on defense for four quarters this season,” Bowie said.
Palestine stopped Westwood by bringing pressure as the Wildcats had a season-high four sacks and helped the Panthers to a season-low four completions for 56 yards.
“We are going to have to do another good job of being aggressive and taking care of business,” Bowie said.
The Palestine defense now has the task of trying to slow down a Mexia offense that has scored 46.4 points a game. Mexia has reached the 60-point plateau twice this season and has only been held to under 30 points once — a 28-27 loss to West.
Mexia’s offense is led by a two-prong attack with quarterback Trae Davis and running back Doug Gentry. The backfield combination both have rushed for over 1,00 yards this season. Gentry has 1,477 yards, 16 touchdowns and is averaging 9.1 yards a carry. Davis has 1,052 yards, 17 touchdowns and is averaging 9.2 yards a carry.
“They are hurting teams first with the run, and that opens up the pass,” Bowie said. “We are going to have to mix it up on defense, put pressure on them and try to keep them off balance.”
Davis is 146-of-195 passing (75 percent) for 1,821 yards. He has 23 touchdown passes and only one interception. His favorite target is D.J. Robinson, who has 30 catches for 665 yards and nine touchdowns.
Davis and Gentry have been nearly unstoppable in district play. Davis was 18-of-109 passing for 22 yards and four touchdowns against Groesbeck last week. Earlier in district play, he had 202 yards passing and 143 rushing against Lorena. The senior quarterback had over 100 yards passing and rushing along with accounting for five touchdowns against Robinson.
Gentry has rushed for over 200 yards in three of the five district games including 252 yards against Robinson and 236 yards and three touchdowns against Connally.
————
Scott Tyler may be contacted via e-mail at styler@palestineherald.com
- Local Sports
-
-
'Cats toppled by Manley, Pirates
The Palestine defense got carved up by a future college quarterback and the Wildcat offense couldn't keep up, as PHS fell to Pittsburg here, 51-16.
It's the second straight loss in as many games this season for the Wildcats, but this loss differed greatly from last week's 20-14 defeat at the hands of Brownsboro. -
Running Wild: Allen, Coleman lead Frankston past Westwood
Jamal Allen and Treston Coleman combined for 440 yards rushing to power the Frankston Indians by the Westwood Panthers Friday night, 35-26, in Palestine.
It’s the second straight big week for Allen, who ran for more than 170 yards in a losing effort Zero Week to White Oak.
In that loss, Coleman also added 102 yards and two touchdowns of his own. -
Local Roundup: 'Yuga rolls to 16th straight win
The Cayuga Wildcats continued their dominant start to the 2010 season, rolling past Mt. Enterprise, 39-15, thanks to a huge second half.
The ’Cats only led 18-12 heading into the locker room at the half, but stormed back in the second half to earn a commanding win. -
From the Sideline: Tough schedules can pay off later
As the second week (called Week 1, which seems weird in itself. I’m not the only one that thinks this, right?) of Texas high school football comes to a close, I’ve noticed a trend among some of the local squads.
This has nothing to do with play on the field. At least not directly. But, it has everything to do with a single sheet of paper. -
Game Balls: FHS's Allen runs away with lead Game Ball
Jamal Allen earned one of last week’s Herald-Press Game Balls for his more than 170 yards rushing in a loss to White Oak.
This week, Allen gets the lead Game Ball thanks to a dominating, 248-yard performance in the Indians’ 35-26 win over Westwood Friday in Palestine. -
Palestine falls hard in Pittsburg
The Palestine defense got carved up by a future college quarterback and the Wildcat offense couldn't keep up, as PHS fell to Pittsburg here, 51-16.
It's the second straight loss in as many games this season for the Wildcats, but this loss differed greatly from last week's 20-14 defeat at the hands of Brownsboro.
-
Cayuga runs win streak to 16 games
Mt. Enterprise kept it close for a half, but the Cayuga Wildcats turned in on in the second half, beating the Wildcats 39-15 for their 16th straight win.
-
Frankston beats Westwood 35-26
Jamal Allen and Treston Coleman combined for 440 yards rushing to power the Frankston Indians by the Westwood Panthers Friday night.
-
Local Roundup: Cross Country squads head to Crockett
If you’re looking for one of the Dogwood Circle’s cross country teams this weekend, they won’t be hard to find.
All five schools that run cross country will be in Crockett for the Bulldogs’ annual meet. -
County feud: Frankston, Westwood look for first win in Anderson County shootout
When the Westwood and Frankston football teams take the field Friday night at Panther Stadium, both will do so coming off of losses.
But, those losses were very different in their nature. - More Local Sports Headlines
-
'Cats toppled by Manley, Pirates
