Herald-Press Game Balls: Even in loss, PHS defense shows mettle

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September 3, 2012

Herald-Press Game Balls: Even in loss, PHS defense shows mettle

By JUSTIN RAINS Palestine Herald-Press The Palestine Herald-Press Mon Sep 03, 2012, 12:28 PM CDT

More likely than not, Friday night still stings in the minds of Palestine players, coaches and fans.

That’s expected after the Wildcats nearly upset No. 8 La Vega, falling a two-point conversion in overtime short.

But, there was plenty to be taken from that game that was a positive, and the biggest may have been the play of the Wildcat defense.

Palestine held the Pirates to 24 points in four quarters plus overtime. In the past year, only two other teams can make that claim.

The first is Chapel Hill, who beat La Vega 27-20 en route to the state title a year ago. That game came a week after the Pirates had ousted Palestine from the playoffs, 35-21.

Plus, it’s not like this was a much different offense from a year ago. The Pirates returned eight offensive starters.

Before that, La Vega beat Cameron Yoe 19-14 on Sept. 2.

KEKE HICKS, RB, WHS

Westwood’s run as a Class 2A team didn’t open as planned Friday, as the Panthers fell to Mineola, 27-13.

But, WHS star Keke Hicks appeared to be in midseason form against the Yellowjackets, opening his senior season with his usual bang.

Hicks ran for 157 yards on only 18 carries (8.7 yards per carry), and scored both Westwood touchdowns in the victory.

In fact, both of his scores brought the Panthers within a single score, but the Panthers could never get any closer.

JEFFREY WILSON, RB, EHS

Just like Hicks, Elkhart running back Jeffrey Wilson appeared in midseason form in his team’s season-opening loss.

The Elk junior ran for 157 yards on 23 carries (6.8 yards per carry) and ran for two touchdowns in Elkhart’s loss to Alto in the season-opener.

Wilson also caught three balls for 46 yards, including a 29-yard touchdown catch.

CHANDLER RIGDON, QB, CHS

Welcome to Cayuga Chandler Rigdon.

The new Wildcat quarterback announced his presence with authority in Cayuga’s 43-25 win over Cushing on the road Friday.

The sophomore signal-caller combined for 266 yards and four touchdowns for the Wildcats in his debut in the black and gold.

Rigdon threw for 163 yards and a touchdown on 8-of-15 passing, and also ran for 103 yards and three touchdowns in his 17 carries.

PALESTINE RUNNING GAME

The eighth-ranked La Vega Pirates returned eight starters from last year’s standout defense, including two beasts at defensive tackle.

For the Palestine rushing attack, that didn’t really matter.

The Wildcats ran for 251 yards on 51 carries, and the running game was a major reason why Palestine was in the game until the very end.

Darrius Stephens led the way with 120 yards on 10 carries, but Ben Luckett had a strong debut with 76 yards and two scores. Jarrell Owens pitched in 36 yards.

———

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

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