AREA HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL STATISTICS AFTER WEEK 8 (includes scoring, tackles and interceptions)

NOSE FOR THE GOAL LINE: Temple junior Damarion Willis fights through a Hutto defender to score on a 2-point conversion run during the Wildcats' 31-27 comeback win over the Hippos last Friday night at Wildcat Stadium. It was his fourth 2-point run this season. Defending District 12-6A champion Temple (6-2, 4-0) battles Harker Heights (6-1, 3-0) in a crucial league showdown at 7:30 Friday night at Leo Buckley Stadium in Killeen. (Photo by Mike Lefner, Temple ISD/Special to TempleBeltonSports.com)

CLASS 6A/5A

TEAM STATISTICS

OFFENSE

Total yards gained/

average per game

Killeen Shoemaker 3,127/446.7 (1,622 rushing/1,505 passing)

Lake Belton 3,489/436.1 (1,595 rushing, 1,894 passing)

Harker Heights 2,620/374.3 (1,759 rushing, 861 passing)

Belton 2,917/364.6 (1,270 rushing, 1,647 passing)

Temple 2,906/363.3 (1,234 rushing, 1,672 passing)

Killeen 2,070/345.0 (1,304 rushing, 766 passing)

Copperas Cove 2,022/288.9 (869 rushing, 1,153 passing)

Killeen Ellison 1,312/187.4 (353 rushing, 959 passing)

DEFENSE

Total yards allowed/

average per game

Killeen Shoemaker 1,436/239.3 (775 rushing, 661 passing)

Harker Heights 1,815/259.3 (697 rushing, 1,118 passing)

Killeen Ellison 1,617/269.5 (556 rushing/1,061 passing)

Killeen 1,790/298.3 (1,047 rushing, 743 passing)

Belton 2,485/310.6 (1,335 rushing, 1,150 passing)

Temple 2,584/323.0 (1,331 rushing, 1,253 passing)

Lake Belton 2,694/336.8 (1,246 rushing, 1,448 passing)

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

OFFENSE

RUSHING

(Minimum: 100 yards)

Carries, yards, touchdowns

Re’Shaun Sanford II, Harker Heights 180 1,326 9

Deshaun Brundage, Temple 126 801 1

Jakobe Deloach, Killeen 129 787 8

Shaun Snapp, Belton 109 720 9

Craig Brown, Copperas Cove 107 605 5

Jerrod Hicks, Killeen Shoemaker 64 447 7

Tristan Robin, Lake Belton 69 441 8

D’Arius Wilkerson, Lake Belton 65 431 6

Jamarius Stewart, Killeen Shoemaker 75 427 5

LJ Underwood, Belton 77 369 4

Malachi Jerome, Killeen Shoemaker 49 290 1

Connor Crews, Lake Belton 49 261 9

Aimeer Washington, Harker Heights 55 239 4

Floyd Bristol, Lake Belton 28 213 1

X’Zavion Smith, Killeen Shoemaker 30 202 3

Micah Hudson, Lake Belton 15 157 1

Joseph Fowlkes IV, Killeen Ellison 18 140 2

Dylan Plake, Harker Heights 31 137 6

K’Mare Balfour, Killeen Shoemaker 19 132 1

Jervonnie Williams, Temple 20 124 1

Jay Burrola, Belton 23 111 0

Markis Nash, Copperas Cove 26 109 2

Daryl Cannie Jr., Killeen Ellison 30 106 1

Emory Watson, Killeen Ellison 25 106 0

PASSING

Completions-attempts-

interceptions,

yards, touchdowns

Connor Crews, Lake Belton 110-182-4 1,855 23

Reese Rumfield, Temple 91-188-4 1,652 15

Ty Brown, Belton 113-204-6 1,648 18

Malachi Jerome, Killeen Shoemaker 104-163-5 1,440 14

Dylan Plake, Harker Heights 58-113-7 845 7

Sidney Holland Jr., Killeen Ellison 45-101-3 710 7

Roderick Norman, Killeen 58-100-5 694 7

Gabriel Rodriguez, Copperas Cove 41-89-1 505 7

Micah Casson, Copperas Cove 29-63-0 334 4

Blaine Butler, Copperas Cove 25-50-1 314 1

Xavier Dormeus, Killeen Ellison 15-31-1 268 2

Jerryn Pettijohn, Killeen 10-24-0 91 0

Amonte Allen, Killeen Ellison 3-5-0 69 1

RECEIVING

(Minimum: 100 yards)

Receptions, yards, touchdowns

Micah Hudson, Lake Belton 40 846 12

Mikal Harrison-Pilot, Temple 35 681 6

Garrett Oliveira, Belton 26 538 9

Demetrius Pearce, Copperas Cove 21 437 4

Christian Tutson, Temple 15 428 6

Khamani Debrow, Killeen Ellison 22 386 7

Jaydon Leza, Lake Belton 26 382 5

Tekoree Landours, Killeen 26 379 4

Bobby Williams, Killeen Ellison 24 342 2

Johnathan Lahmann, Killeen Shoemaker 18 323 3

Trishstin Glass, Copperas Cove 26 291 4

Mason Ramm, Belton 20 288 3

Slade LeBlanc, Belton 22 271 2

Maurice Starr, Killeen Shoemaker 18 256 3

Javante Carson, Killeen Shoemaker 21 253 0

Tyler Johnson, Harker Heights 20 239 3

Jerrod Hicks, Killeen Shoemaker 18 230 3

Tay’Veon Johnson, Killeen Ellison 11 224 2

Jamarius Stewart, Killeen Shoemaker 10 219 3

Jeremiah Lennon, Temple 10 201 1

Raymond Howard, Killeen 18 201 2

Isaac Abel, Belton 6 196 2

Ty Legg, Lake Belton 15 190 2

Kai McMillian, Harker Heights 4 163 1

Daniel Izquierdo, Copperas Cove 13 142 1

Javeon Wilcox, Lake Belton 6 138 4

Cash Robin, Lake Belton 9 132 0

Craig Brown, Copperas Cove 15 118 1

Aimeer Washington, Harker Heights 12 101 1

Jaquon Butler, Temple 9 100 1

SCORING

Touchdowns/2-point conversions/

field goals/extra points

Micah Hudson, Lake Belton 84 points (14/0/0/0)

Jerrod Hicks, Killeen Shoemaker 62 points (10/1/0/0)

Jakobe Deloach, Killeen 60 points (10/0/0/0)

Mikal Harrison-Pilot, Temple 56 points (9/1/0/0)

Re’Shaun Sanford II, Harker Heights 56 points (9/1/0/0)

Garrett Oliveira, Belton 54 points (9/0/0/0)

Shaun Snapp, Belton 54 points (9/0/0/0)

Connor Crews, Lake Belton 54 points (9/0/0/0)

Christian Tutson, Temple 48 points (8/0/0/0)

Tristan Robin, Lake Belton 48 points (8/0/0/0)

Jamarius Stewart, Killeen Shoemaker 48 points (8/0/0/0)

Cole Jackson, Lake Belton 45 points (0/0/0/45)

Marcos Garcia, Temple 44 points (0/0/6/26)

Khamani Debrow, Killeen Ellison 42 points (7/0/0/0)

D’Arius Wilkerson, Lake Belton 36 points (6/0/0/0)

Craig Brown, Copperas Cove 36 points (6/0/0/0)

Dylan Plake, Harker Heights 36 points (6/0/0/0)

Jaydon Leza, Lake Belton 30 points (5/0/0/0)

Aimeer Washington, Harker Heights 30 points (5/0/0/0)

Jai’den Fletcher, Harker Heights 29 points (0/0/2/23)

Antonio Butler, Killeen Shoemaker 29 points (0/0/1/26)

Cole Chrisman, Belton 28 points (0/0/1/25)

LJ Underwood, Belton 26 points (4/1/0/0)

Reese Rumfield, Temple 24 points (4/0/0/0)

Javeon Wilcox, Lake Belton 24 points (4/0/0/0)

Trishstin Glass, Copperas Cove 24 points (4/0/0/0)

Demetrius Pearce, Copperas Cove 24 points (4/0/0/0)

Zy’Aire King, Killeen Ellison 24 points (4/0/0/0)

Maurice Starr, Killeen Shoemaker 24 points (4/0/0/0)

K’Mare Balfour, Killeen Shoemaker 20 points (3/1/0/0)

Taurean York, Temple 18 points (3/0/0/0)

Mason Ramm, Belton 18 points (3/0/0/0)

Gabriel Rodriguez, Copperas Cove 18 points (3/0/0/0)

Tyler Johnson, Harker Heights 18 points (3/0/0/0)

Ruben Menchaca, Killeen 18 points (0/0/0/18)

Joseph Fowlkes IV, Killeen Ellison 18 points (3/0/0/0)

Bobby Williams, Killeen Ellison 18 points (3/0/0/0)

Johnathan Lahmann, Killeen Shoemaker 18 points (3/0/0/0)

X’Zavion Smith, Killeen Shoemaker 18 points (3/0/0/0)

Tommy Stephens, Lake Belton 14 points (0/0/4/2)

Steve Jackson, Temple 12 points (2/0/0/0)

Isaac Abel, Belton 12 points (2/0/0/0)

Slade LeBlanc, Belton 12 points (2/0/0/0)

Ty Legg, Lake Belton 12 points (2/0/0/0)

Blaine Butler, Copperas Cove 12 points (2/0/0/0)

Daniel Izquierdo, Copperas Cove 12 points (1/3/0/0)

Markis Nash, Copperas Cove 12 points (2/0/0/0)

Tay’Veon Johnson, Killeen Ellison 12 points (2/0/0/0)

Isaiah Tanner-Butler, Killeen Shoemaker 12 points (2/0/0/0)

Jovan Smith, Killeen Ellison 9 points (0/0/0/9)

Damarion Willis, Temple 8 points (0/4/0/0)

Karson Dunn, Belton 8 points (1/1/0/0)

Deshaun Brundage, Temple 6 points (1/0/0/0)

Jaquon Butler, Temple 6 points (1/0/0/0)

Landon Halvorson, Temple 6 points (1/0/0/0)

Rymond Johnson, Temple 6 points (1/0/0/0)

Jeremiah Lennon, Temple 6 points (1/0/0/0)

Naeten Mitchell, Temple 6 points (1/0/0/0)

Julian White, Temple 6 points (1/0/0/0)

Jervonnie Williams, Temple 6 points (1/0/0/0)

Ty Brown, Belton 6 points (1/0/0/0)

Diego Coleman, Belton 6 points (1/0/0/0)

Alton McCallum, Belton 6 points (1/0/0/0)

Jake Stout, Belton 6 points (1/0/0/0)

Selman Bridges, Lake Belton 6 points (1/0/0/0)

Floyd Bristol, Lake Belton 6 points (1/0/0/0)

Brady Johnson, Lake Belton 6 points (1/0/0/0)

Micah Casson, Copperas Cove 6 points (1/0/0/0)

Trey Fossett, Copperas Cove 6 points (1/0/0/0)

NaKeem Freeman, Copperas Cove 6 points (1/0/0/0)

Ezekiel Kaleopa-Lynn, Copperas Cove 6 points (1/0/0/0)

Alexander Bailey, Harker Heights 6 points (1/0/0/0)

Rocky Crooks, Harker Heights 6 points (1/0/0/0)

Deaubry Hood, Harker Heights 6 points (1/0/0/0)

Kai McMillian, Harker Heights 6 points (1/0/0/0)

Marcus Moultrie, Harker Heights 6 points (1/0/0/0)

Brendan Bett, Killeen Ellison 6 points (1/0/0/0)

Daryl Cannie Jr., Killeen Ellison 6 points (1/0/0/0)

Amir Cavello, Killeen Ellison 6 points (1/0/0/0)

Jevon Custis, Killeen Ellison 6 points (1/0/0/0)

Isaiah Hagan, Killeen Ellison 6 points (1/0/0/0)

Kesean Meeks, Killeen Ellison 6 points (1/0/0/0)

Eule Ford, Killeen Shoemaker 6 points (1/0/0/0)

Malachi Jerome, Killeen Shoemaker 6 points (1/0/0/0)

Jan Erdel, Copperas Cove 5 points (0/0/0/5)

Mateo Lopez, Temple 4 points (0/0/1/1)

James Sterverdink, Copperas Cove 3 points (0/0/1/0)

Jaylon Jackson, Temple 2 points (safety)

Manuel Herrera, Lake Belton 2 points (safety)

Evan Roland, Lake Belton 2 points (safety)

Malik Cuthbert, Copperas Cove 2 points (0/1/0/0)

Steve Albert, Killeen Ellison 2 points (0/1/0/0)

Keyshaun Robinson, Killeen Ellison 2 points (0/1/0/0)

Jasiyah Riley, Killeen Shoemaker 2 points (safety)

DEFENSE

TACKLES

(Minimum: 20)

Taurean York, Temple 93

Matthew Moore, Killeen Ellison 93

Javeon Wilcox, Lake Belton 83

Jeremy Jennings, Harker Heights 81

Kesean Meeks, Killeen Ellison 81

Wyatt Butler, Belton 72

Marcus Moultrie, Harker Heights 60

Connor Brennan, Lake Belton 59

Kevin Pontius, Copperas Cove 59

Kabriel Anderson-Dale, Harker Heights 58

Ty Legg, Lake Belton 55

Christopher Robinson, Harker Heights 51

Cameron Gee, Killeen 49

Teryon Williams-Echols, Temple 48

Sam Babcock, Belton 47

Kaden Butler, Harker Heights 45

Giani Zecca, Belton 44

Steve Albert, Killeen Ellison 44

Sam Shepard, Belton 43

Donovan Thompson, Belton 43

Bruce Onchweri, Lake Belton 43

Deaubry Hood, Harker Heights 42

Kyle Dalton, Lake Belton 38

Anthony Massey, Harker Heights 38

Valentino Greene, Killeen Shoemaker 37

Naeten Mitchell, Temple 36

Kevin Stockton, Temple 36

Brendan Bett, Killeen Ellison 36

Jequarrius McClendon, Killeen Shoemaker 36

King White, Harker Heights 34

Isaiah Hagan, Killeen Ellison 34

Steve Jackson, Temple 33

D’Anthony Jackson, Belton 33

Evan Collazo, Harker Heights 32

Jamorion Stanford, Harker Heights 32

Malik Esquerra, Killeen Shoemaker 32

Zavion Tibbs, Killeen Shoemaker 32

Manuel Herrera, Lake Belton 31

Ethan Arendall, Belton 30

Hayden Hourany, Belton 30

Selman Bridges, Lake Belton 30

Tyrone Osberry, Killeen Ellison 29

Ronnie Collins, Killeen Shoemaker 29

Evan Roland, Lake Belton 28

Rashad Jackson, Killeen Ellison 27

Ayden Brown, Temple 26

Jaylon Jackson, Temple 25

Lamarian Hatcher, Harker Heights 25

Sebastian Magana, Belton 24

Joshua Mallard, Lake Belton 24

Rocky Parker, Lake Belton 24

Ka’Morion Carter, Temple 23

John Cole, Lake Belton 23

Jamel Custis, Killeen Ellison 23

Jevon Custis, Killeen Ellison 23

Noah Moaga, Belton 22

Adam Walden, Lake Belton 22

Julian White, Temple 21

Matthew Knox, Killeen Ellison 21

Terrel Prust, Killeen Ellison 21

INTERCEPTIONS

Naeten Mitchell, Temple 4

Javeon Wilcox, Lake Belton 3

Jaeshaun Peyton, Killeen 3

Isaiah Hagan, Killeen Ellison 3

Tyrone Osberry, Killeen Ellison 3

Malik Esquerra, Killeen Shoemaker 3

Selman Bridges, Lake Belton 2

Anthony Jackson, Copperas Cove 2

Deaubry Hood, Harker Heights 2

Josh Donoso, Temple 1

Jaylon Jackson, Temple 1

Julian White, Temple 1

Sam Babcock, Belton 1

Manuel Herrera, Lake Belton 1

Ty Legg, Lake Belton 1

Torre Mallard, Lake Belton 1

Bruce Onchweri, Lake Belton 1

Malik Cuthbert, Copperas Cove 1

Malik Davis, Copperas Cove 1

Christopher Robinson, Harker Heights 1

King White, Harker Heights 1

Brendan Bett, Killeen Ellison 1

Zy’Aire King, Killeen Ellison 1

Emanuel Morales, Killeen Ellison 1

Eule Ford, Killeen Shoemaker 1

CLASS 4A/3A/2A/PRIVATE

TEAM STATISTICS

OFFENSE

Total yards gained/

average per game

Academy 2,788/398.3 (1,174 rushing, 1,614 passing)

Rockdale 2,654/379.1 (1,253 rushing, 1,401 passing)

Rosebud-Lott 2,648/378.3 (1,880 rushing, 768 passing)

Cameron Yoe 2,630/375.7 (1,198 rushing, 1,432 passing)

Lampasas 2,581/368.7 (1,021 rushing, 1,560 passing)

Salado 2,919/364.9 (963 rushing, 1,956 passing)

Granger 2,545/363.6 (1,981 rushing, 564 passing)

Gatesville 2,855/356.9 (1,158 rushing, 1,697 passing)

Rogers 2,359/337.0 (1,964 rushing, 395 passing)

Jarrell 2,339/334.1 (575 rushing, 1,764 passing)

Central Texas Christian 2,186/312.3 (1,533 rushing, 653 passing)

Troy 2,027/253.4 (1,160 rushing, 867 passing)

Moody 1,486/212.3 (736 rushing, 750 passing)

Bruceville-Eddy 1,040/148.6 (626 rushing, 414 passing)

DEFENSE

Total yards allowed/

average per game

Rogers 1,658/236.9 (769 rushing, 889 passing)

Academy 2,404/343.4 (1,465 rushing, 939 passing)

Salado 2,911/363.9 (1,042 rushing, 1,869 passing)

Gatesville 3,113/389.1 (1,621 rushing, 1,492 passing)

Rockdale 2,919/417.0 (1,945 rushing, 974 passing)

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING

(Minimum: 100 yards)

Carries, yards, touchdowns

DJ McClelland, Granger 115 1,119 16

Reagan Ragsdale, Central Texas Christian 153 883 10

Rayshon Smith, Gatesville 134 822 10

Kyle Finan, Rosebud-Lott 69 757 8

Kardarius Bradley, Cameron Yoe 77 629 10

Kase Maedgen, Salado 121 629 5

Blaydn Barcak, Rockdale 110 561 9

Lane Ward, Academy 82 541 6

Moses Fox, Rosebud-Lott 48 531 4

Ethan Allerkamp, Central Texas Christian 86 482 6

Ryder Hohhertz, Moody 84 480 6

Cooper Sisneroz, Rogers 77 457 7

Aden Rascoe, Lampasas 73 444 4

Garrett Wolfe, Rogers 84 440 9

Kasey Mraz, Academy 76 390 3

Bryce Watson, Rogers 31 324 2

Nathan Tucker, Granger 63 314 5

Cooper Valle, Troy 54 314 2

Jamarquis Johnson, Rosebud-Lott 22 278 3

JaMarion Nibblett, Jarrell 72 274 4

Kemar Spencer, Rockdale 53 268 3

Armando Reyes, Cameron Yoe 55 263 8

Luke Law, Salado 87 256 9

Jimmy Hall, Gatesville 62 250 2

Tyrrell Horne, Bruceville-Eddy 29 237 1

David Flores, Lampasas 40 235 4

Tim Grice, Rockdale 43 228 2

Karsen Gomez, Rogers 22 218 3

Korey Gibson, Troy 39 194 2

Zach Davis, Rogers 27 185 2

Jett Walker, Lampasas 28 175 2

Breon Lewis, Rosebud-Lott 9 173 4

Isaac Lizardo, Granger 36 163 0

Gage Richardson, Troy 27 157 0

Chad Pate, Bruceville-Eddy 39 150 2

Zeke Castro, Rockdale 26 147 2

Andrew Mitchell, Troy 27 141 1

Clayton Lawson, Academy 39 132 4

Braylan Drake, Cameron Yoe 18 119 2

Tavares Crittendon, Cameron Yoe 27 118 4

Luke Chiles, Central Texas Christian 6 106 2

Jalani Price, Jarrell 8 102 1

Jacob Carruth, Jarrell 24 100 1

Keith Dailey, Moody 23 100 1

PASSING

Completions-attempts-

interceptions,

yards, touchdowns

Luke Law, Salado 135-248-11 1,949 17

Andrew Knebel, Jarrell 108-221-7 1,764 18

Jacob Newkirk, Gatesville 134-220-9 1,699 19

Kasey Mraz, Academy 128-193-7 1,614 15

David Flores, Lampasas 119-185-8 1,560 20

Blaydn Barcak, Rockdale 91-160-8 1,358 11

Braylan Drake, Cameron Yoe 101-146-1 1,349 15

Ethan Sorensen, Troy 71-150-8 841 11

Ryder Hohhertz, Moody 57-111-3 740 6

Cooper Smith, Central Texas Christian 66-108-4 638 2

Nathan Tucker, Granger 43-92-4 535 5

Kyle Finan, Rosebud-Lott 28-60-4 434 5

Cooper Sisneroz, Rogers 19-40-1 395 4

Jamarquis Johnson, Rosebud-Lott 12-18-2 302 3

Kadyn Rape, Bruceville-Eddy 25-51-5 238 1

Ashton Rosas, Bruceville-Eddy 11-35-2 176 2

Landen Greene, Cameron Yoe 1-1-0 46 1

Robert Owens, Rockdale 1-1-0 43 1

Connor Jeter, Cameron Yoe 1-1-0 37 0

Demarcus Hicks, Rosebud-Lott 3-4-0 32 0

Isaac Lizardo, Granger 2-5-1 29 1

Kadyn Martinez, Troy 1-1-0 25 0

RECEIVING

(Minimum: 100 yards)

Receptions, yards, touchdowns

Seth Reavis, Salado 38 733 9

Ethan Moreno, Lampasas 54 713 4

Trevor Smith, Gatesville 52 649 6

Robert Owens, Rockdale 40 630 5

Scout Brazeal, Academy 44 525 5

Jacques Spradley, Jarrell 29 521 6

Mason Dotson, Jarrell 20 470 5

Trayjen Wilcox, Cameron Yoe 33 466 3

Breon Lewis, Rosebud-Lott 25 452 7

Zane Clark, Academy 27 434 5

Alex Lawton, Academy 32 415 2

Dathan Walker, Jarrell 17 327 5

Reed Ketcham, Troy 22 323 2

Carter Johnson, Lampasas 21 309 4

Kyle Shafer, Gatesville 21 290 5

Dakarai Barnes, Jarrell 19 287 3

Morgan Adams, Salado 17 287 3

Cooper Staton, Moody 23 285 1

Owen Stubbs, Lampasas 17 277 6

Jamarquis Johnson, Rosebud-Lott 15 277 2

Charlie Mayer, Cameron Yoe 17 247 6

Roman Law, Salado 18 247 1

Caden Strickland, Salado 25 243 2

Tyler Shea, Gatesville 17 233 4

Tristan Eanes, Central Texas Christian 18 228 0

Christopher Bailey, Bruceville-Eddy 14 222 3

Tim Grice, Rockdale 11 212 1

Deandre Stephens, Rockdale 9 211 2

Zach Davis, Rogers 10 206 3

Ben Matias, Moody 13 204 3

Kase Maedgen, Salado 22 198 1

Brendan Wilson, Salado 11 182 1

Sean Aguilar, Gatesville 10 173 0

Tucker Staton, Moody 12 173 2

Armando Reyes, Cameron Yoe 11 172 2

DJ McClelland, Granger 9 171 3

Adrian Smith, Gatesville 19 163 1

Kason Goolsby, Cameron Yoe 6 156 1

Aden Rascoe, Lampasas 17 153 3

Riley Spears, Rockdale 15 152 1

Reagan Ragsdale, Central Texas Christian 18 141 0

Quori Hardman, Cameron Yoe 11 139 3

Lucas Matta, Granger 9 136 2

Korey Gibson, Troy 5 136 2

Gerren Marrero, Rockdale 5 129 3

Luke Tomasek, Academy 13 117 1

Connor Jeter, Cameron Yoe 5 113 0

Jayden Thomas, Rosebud-Lott 5 113 1

Cooper Valle, Troy 13 103 5

SCORING

Touchdowns/2-point conversions/

field goals/extra points

DJ McClelland, Granger 114 points (19/0/0/0)

Blaydn Barcak, Rockdale 90 points (15/0/0/0)

Breon Lewis, Rosebud-Lott 80 points (13/1/0/0)

Armando Reyes, Cameron Yoe 67 points (11/0/0/1)

Rayshon Smith, Gatesville 66 points (10/3/0/0)

Reagan Ragsdale, Central Texas Christian 62 points (10/1/0/0)

Kardarius Bradley, Cameron Yoe 60 points (10/0/0/0)

Kyle Finan, Rosebud-Lott 58 points (9/2/0/0)

Garrett Wolfe, Rogers 54 points (9/0/0/0)

Luke Law, Salado 54 points (9/0/0/0)

Seth Reavis, Salado 54 points (9/0/0/0)

Cooper Sisneroz, Rogers 52 points (7/5/0/0)

Aden Rascoe, Lampasas 42 points (7/0/0/0)

Ryder Hohhertz, Moody 42 points (7/0/0/0)

Cooper Valle, Troy 42 points (7/0/0/0)

Landon Richardson, Lampasas 38 points (1/0/4/20)

Zane Clark, Academy 36 points (6/0/0/0)

Lane Ward, Academy 36 points (6/0/0/0)

Charlie Mayer, Cameron Yoe 36 points (6/0/0/0)

Ethan Allerkamp, Central Texas Christian 36 points (6/0/0/0)

Trevor Smith, Gatesville 36 points (6/0/0/0)

Jacques Spradley, Jarrell 36 points (6/0/0/0)

Owen Stubbs, Lampasas 36 points (6/0/0/0)

Robert Owens, Rockdale 36 points (6/0/0/0)

Jamarquis Johnson, Rosebud-Lott 36 points (6/0/0/0)

Daniel Chtay, Salado 36 points (0/0/3/27)

Kase Maedgen, Salado 36 points (6/0/0/0)

Landen Greene, Cameron Yoe 35 points (0/0/1/32)

Luke Chiles, Central Texas Christian 35 points (2/0/2/17)

Trayjen Wilcox, Cameron Yoe 34 points (4/5/0/0)

Kyle Shafer, Gatesville 34 points (5/2/0/0)

Scout Brazeal, Academy 32 points (5/1/0/0)

Lucas Sanderson, Academy 31 points (0/0/5/16)

Nathan Tucker, Granger 30 points (5/0/0/0)

Mason Dotson, Jarrell 30 points (5/0/0/0)

Dathan Walker, Jarrell 30 points (5/0/0/0)

Carter Johnson, Lampasas 30 points (4/0/0/6)

Daniel Romero, Rockdale 30 points (0/0/2/24)

Zach Davis, Rogers 30 points (5/0/0/0)

Jose Valverde, Granger 29 points (0/0/2/23)

Javier Bonilla, Gatesville 26 points (0/0/3/17)

Tyler Shea, Gatesville 26 points (4/1/0/0)

Cooper Staton, Moody 26 points (4/1/0/0)

Clayton Lawson, Academy 24 points (4/0/0/0)

Tavares Crittendon, Cameron Yoe 24 points (4/0/0/0)

Quori Hardman, Cameron Yoe 24 points (4/0/0/0)

JaMarion Nibblett, Jarrell 24 points (4/0/0/0)

David Flores, Lampasas 24 points (4/0/0/0)

Ethan Moreno, Lampasas 24 points (4/0/0/0)

Moses Fox, Rosebud-Lott 24 points (4/0/0/0)

Tyler McKissick, Troy 23 points (0/0/3/14)

Jacob Newkirk, Gatesville 22 points (3/2/0/0)

Baldemar Arzola, Rogers 21 points (0/0/1/18)

Dakarai Barnes, Jarrell 20 points (3/1/0/0)

Kasey Mraz, Academy 18 points (3/0/0/0)

Christopher Bailey, Bruceville-Eddy 18 points (3/0/0/0)

Andrew Knebel, Jarrell 18 points (3/0/0/0)

Ben Matias, Moody 18 points (3/0/0/0)

Tim Grice, Rockdale 18 points (3/0/0/0)

Gerren Marrero, Rockdale 18 points (3/0/0/0)

Kemar Spencer, Rockdale 18 points (3/0/0/0)

Karsen Gomez, Rogers 18 points (3/0/0/0)

Morgan Adams, Salado 18 points (3/0/0/0)

Korey Gibson, Troy 18 points (3/0/0/0)

Reed Ketcham, Troy 18 points (3/0/0/0)

Kadyn Martinez, Troy 18 points (3/0/0/0)

Dalton Cox, Moody 17 points (0/0/2/11)

Bryce Watson, Rogers 16 points (2/2/0/0)

Nicolas Rodriguez, Jarrell 14 points (0/0/1/11)

Abraham Hernandez, Rogers 14 points (2/1/0/0)

Alex Lawton, Academy 12 points (2/0/0/0)

Chad Pate, Bruceville-Eddy 12 points (2/0/0/0)

Braylan Drake, Cameron Yoe 12 points (2/0/0/0)

Jimmy Hall, Gatesville 12 points (2/0/0/0)

Lucas Matta, Granger 12 points (2/0/0/0)

Dailin Fagan, Lampasas 12 points (2/0/0/0)

Preston Isom, Lampasas 12 points (2/0/0/0)

Brock Langford, Lampasas 12 points (2/0/0/0)

Jett Walker, Lampasas 12 points (2/0/0/0)

Tucker Staton, Moody 12 points (2/0/0/0)

Zeke Castro, Rockdale 12 points (2/0/0/0)

Deandre Stephens, Rockdale 12 points (2/0/0/0)

Clayton Doskocil, Rosebud-Lott 12 points (2/0/0/0)

Caden Strickland, Salado 12 points (2/0/0/0)

Hunter Fowler, Troy 12 points (2/0/0/0)

Willie Wilson, Bruceville-Eddy 8 points (1/1/0/0)

Cody Avant, Rosebud-Lott 8 points (0/0/0/8)

Brayden Bartlett, Academy 6 points (1/0/0/0)

Cavalli Nealy, Academy 6 points (1/0/0/0)

Luke Tomasek, Academy 6 points (1/0/0/0)

Nicholas Boaz, Bruceville-Eddy 6 points (1/0/0/0)

Tylor Eddins, Bruceville-Eddy 6 points (1/0/0/0)

Tyrrell Horne, Bruceville-Eddy 6 points (1/0/0/0)

Ja’Qualyn Fields, Cameron Yoe 6 points (1/0/0/0)

Kason Goolsby, Cameron Yoe 6 points (1/0/0/0)

Jacob Good, Central Texas Christian 6 points (1/0/0/0)

Loyal Morris, Central Texas Christian 6 points (1/0/0/0)

Cayden Stringfellow, Central Texas Christian 6 points (1/0/0/0)

Kason Herbelin, Gatesville 6 points (1/0/0/0)

Lawson Mooney, Gatesville 6 points (1/0/0/0)

Adrian Smith, Gatesville 6 points (1/0/0/0)

Theron Stone, Gatesville 6 points (1/0/0/0)

Jayven Diaz, Granger 6 points (1/0/0/0)

Chase Edwards, Granger 6 points (1/0/0/0)

Thomas Hall, Granger 6 points (1/0/0/0)

Christian Beltran, Jarrell 6 points (1/0/0/0)

Jacob Carruth, Jarrell 6 points (1/0/0/0)

Jalani Price, Jarrell 6 points (1/0/0/0)

Keith Dailey, Moody 6 points (1/0/0/0)

Isaiah Sauls, Rockdale 6 points (1/0/0/0)

Riley Spears, Rockdale 6 points (1/0/0/0)

Gavin Bennett, Rogers 6 points (1/0/0/0)

Jackson Landeros, Rogers 6 points (1/0/0/0)

Sergio Reyna, Rogers 6 points (1/0/0/0)

Kole Stephens, Rogers 6 points (1/0/0/0)

Bryan Thuy, Rogers 6 points (1/0/0/0)

Jayden Thomas, Rosebud-Lott 6 points (1/0/0/0)

Dalan Willberg, Rosebud-Lott 6 points (1/0/0/0)

Roman Law, Salado 6 points (1/0/0/0)

Brendan Wilson, Salado 6 points (1/0/0/0)

Darius Wilson, Salado 6 points (1/0/0/0)

Chase Fricke, Troy 6 points (1/0/0/0)

Hayden Stinson, Moody 5 points (0/0/1/2)

Alejandro Rodriguez, Rosebud-Lott 5 points (0/0/0/5)

Juan Diaz Esquivel, Bruceville-Eddy 4 points (0/0/0/4)

Thomas Youngblood, Granger 2 points (0/1/0/0)

Jaden Anzaldua, Moody 2 points (0/1/0/0)

Garrett Combs, Salado 2 points (0/1/0/0)

Angel Almendariz, Gatesville 1 point (0/0/0/1)

DEFENSE

TACKLES

(Minimum: 20)

Lawson Mooney, Gatesville 122

Mason Mooney, Gatesville 91

Quori Hardman, Cameron Yoe 88

Ryder Casqueira, Moody 86

Ashtyn Culley, Gatesville 84

Thiele Alvarado, Gatesville 82

Cade Pantaleon, Rockdale 79

Reagan Ragsdale, Central Texas Christian 78

Daniel Rodriguez, Rosebud-Lott 76

Ayden Necessary, Gatesville 75

Brice Lisenbe, Rogers 75

Sean Aguilar, Gatesville 74

Adam Benavides, Salado 73

Chase Edwards, Granger 66

Dusty Rhiddlehoover, Salado 65

Carlos Salomon, Cameron Yoe 62

Luke Chiles, Central Texas Christian 62

Preston Hering, Rosebud-Lott 59

Garrett Combs, Salado 58

Johnny Martinez, Rosebud-Lott 54

Nolan Miller, Salado 54

Tyler Burnett, Academy 52

Armando Reyes, Cameron Yoe 52

Javares Crittendon, Cameron Yoe 51

Lucas Garcia, Gatesville 51

Drew Bird, Salado 49

Clayton Doskocil, Rosebud-Lott 48

Easton Fulton, Rosebud-Lott 48

Daniel Munoz-Garcia, Academy 47

Malik Davis, Jarrell 46

Davis Graham, Salado 45

Hayden Delafuente, Cameron Yoe 43

Gabriel Logsdon, Central Texas Christian 43

Ben Ford, Rosebud-Lott 43

Korey Gibson, Troy 43

Landen Greene, Cameron Yoe 42

Tristan Eanes, Central Texas Christian 42

Corey Burns, Gatesville 42

Lincoln Hossfeld, Salado 42

Henry Pitman, Central Texas Christian 40

DJ McClelland, Granger 40

Cooper Staton, Moody 40

Elijah Sunderman, Troy 39

Zane Clark, Academy 37

Kyle Finan, Rosebud-Lott 37

Kadyn Martinez, Troy 37

Isaiah Sauls, Rockdale 36

Gerren Marrero, Rockdale 35

Cruz San Migel, Rockdale 35

Keshon Johnson, Cameron Yoe 34

Kason Herbelin, Gatesville 34

Jaden Anzaldua, Moody 34

Moses Fox, Rosebud-Lott 34

Brayden Bolyard, Jarrell 33

James Mabe, Jarrell 33

Ethan Martone, Jarrell 33

Connor Woods, Rogers 33

Cavahn Wilson, Salado 33

Andrew Mitchell, Troy 33

Cannon Negron, Troy 33

Jalani Price, Jarrell 32

Anthony Bradley, Bruceville-Eddy 31

Adrian Smith, Gatesville 31

Evan Hutka, Granger 31

Gavin Bennett, Rogers 31

Bryce Watson, Rogers 31

Dylan Pursley, Jarrell 30

Ethan Hohhertz, Moody 30

Karsen Gomez, Rogers 30

Jackson Landeros, Rogers 30

Alek Castro, Jarrell 29

Payton Wilson, Academy 28

Sammy Guerrero, Jarrell 28

Isaac Lizardo, Granger 27

Cooper Schiller, Rogers 27

Peyten Crawford, Troy 27

Nicholaus Squyres, Bruceville-Eddy 26

Nicolas Rodriguez, Jarrell 26

Jamarquis Johnson, Rosebud-Lott 26

Tavares Crittendon, Cameron Yoe 25

Kason Goolsby, Cameron Yoe 25

Colton Taylor, Gatesville 25

Breon Lewis, Rosebud-Lott 25

AJ Fach, Salado 25

Lane Ward, Academy 24

Tylor Eddins, Bruceville-Eddy 24

Taylor Tatum, Gatesville 24

Thomas Hall, Granger 24

Tripp Wilkie, Granger 24

Keith Dailey, Moody 24

Yahir Mendoza, Rosebud-Lott 24

Scout Brazeal, Academy 23

Evan Allerkamp, Central Texas Christian 23

Matthew Craft, Jarrell 23

Garrett Wolfe, Rogers 23

Kamari Fisher, Jarrell 22

Carson Eoff, Rockdale 22

Tristan Galvan, Rockdale 21

Tim Grice, Rockdale 21

Cooper Emmons, Rosebud-Lott 21

Clayton Lawson, Academy 20

Trey Vargas, Academy 20

Carson Carter, Bruceville-Eddy 20

Rodrigo Cobian, Central Texas Christian 20

Matt Rose, Central Texas Christian 20

Cayden Stringfellow, Central Texas Christian 20

Josh Kohring, Rogers 20

Demarcus Hicks, Rosebud-Lott 20

LaBron Washington, Rosebud-Lott 20

Grady Falcon, Troy 20

Cooper Valle, Troy 20

INTERCEPTIONS

Sean Aguilar, Gatesville 4

Kason Herbelin, Gatesville 4

Nicolas Rodriguez, Jarrell 4

Cayden Stringfellow, Central Texas Christian 3

Jalani Price, Jarrell 3

Reed Jerome, Lampasas 3

Brock Langford, Lampasas 3

Cannon Negron, Troy 3

Alex Lawton, Academy 2

Kason Goolsby, Cameron Yoe 2

Quori Hardman, Cameron Yoe 2

Ayden Necessary, Gatesville 2

Trae Herrera, Granger 2

Ethan Martone, Jarrell 2

Cooper Schiller, Rogers 2

Clayton Doskocil, Rosebud-Lott 2

Breon Lewis, Rosebud-Lott 2

Drew Bird, Salado 2

Reed Ketcham, Troy 2

Kadyn Martinez, Troy 2

Braden Bass, Academy 1

Scout Brazeal, Academy 1

Tylor Eddins, Bruceville-Eddy 1

Ja’Qualyn Fields, Cameron Yoe 1

Landen Greene, Cameron Yoe 1

De’Vontae Jackson, Cameron Yoe 1

Armando Reyes, Cameron Yoe 1

Trayjen Wilcox, Cameron Yoe 1

Luke Chiles, Central Texas Christian 1

Rhett Humphrey, Central Texas Christian 1

Lawson Mooney, Gatesville 1

Mason Mooney, Gatesville 1

Isaac Lizardo, Granger 1

DJ McClelland, Granger 1

Jose Valverde, Granger 1

Brayden Bolyard, Jarrell 1

Kamari Fisher, Jarrell 1

Tyler Johnson, Jarrell 1

Ricky Aguilar, Moody 1

Tucker Staton, Moody 1

Tim Grice, Rockdale 1

Gerren Marrero, Rockdale 1

Cade Pantaleon, Rockdale 1

Gavin Bennett, Rogers 1

Brice Lisenbe, Rogers 1

Jaime Reyna, Rogers 1

Bryce Watson, Rogers 1

Kyle Finan, Rosebud-Lott 1

Moses Fox, Rosebud-Lott 1

Carlos Saucedo, Rosebud-Lott 1

Jamarquis Johnson, Rosebud-Lott 1

AJ Fach, Salado 1

Lincoln Hossfeld, Salado 1

Darius Wilson, Salado 1

Andrew Mitchell, Troy 1

#Temple #TempleWildcats #TempleFootball #TempleHighSchool #Belton #BeltonTigers #BeltonFootball #BeltonHighSchool #LakeBelton #LakeBeltonBroncos #LakeBeltonFootball #LakeBeltonHighSchool #Academy #BrucevilleEddy #CentralTexasChristian #CopperasCove #Gatesville #Granger #HarkerHeights #Killeen #KilleenEllison #KilleenShoemaker #Lampasas #Moody #Rockdale #Rogers #RosebudLott #Salado #Troy #TXHSFB #Football2022 #TempleBeltonSports

GRITTY VICTORY: York's last-minute TD, Mitchell's final pick help Temple overcome feisty Hutto 31-27

PUNISHING PRESENCE: Temple senior linebacker Taurean York puts a hard hit on Hutto junior quarterback Will Hammond as senior tackle Ka'Morion Carter looks on during the Wildcats' 31-27 homecoming win over the Hippos on Friday night at Wildcat Stadium. York made 17 tackles and forced a fumble, and his career-best three touchdowns included a pair of 2-yard rushes and the go-ahead 2-yard catch from Reese Rumfield with 42 seconds remaining as Temple (6-2) moved to 4-0 in District 12-6A and clinched its 10th straight playoff berth. Hammond passed for 269 yards and three TDs for the Hippos (3-4, 0-3). (Photo by Mike Lefner, Temple ISD/Special to TempleBeltonSports.com)

By GREG WILLE

TempleBeltonSports.com

gwille2@hot.rr.com

Before Friday night, the last time Taurean York was seen scoring a touchdown at Wildcat Stadium was last Oct. 1, when the star middle linebacker’s 76-yard fumble return sealed Temple’s 44-34 comeback win over Harker Heights in what essentially was the District 12-6A championship game.

Twelve and a half months later, Temple needed all of York’s heroics in all three phases of the game and numerous clutch plays by his teammates to get past upset-minded Hutto and remain on track for potentially a fourth straight league title.

A 2-yard play-action pass from Reese Rumfield produced York’s third touchdown of the evening and gave the Wildcats the lead with 42 seconds left, then Naeten Mitchell intercepted Will Hammond’s deflected Hail Mary pass at the goal line as time expired to secure Temple’s dramatic, hard-earned 31-27 victory over the feisty Hippos in front of a large, loud homecoming crowd Friday night at Wildcat Stadium.

York is Temple’s leading tackler for the fourth straight season and recorded 17 stops against Hutto, but the two-time 12-6A Defensive MVP also made a major impact on offense to help the Wildcats claw out a vital win and clinch their 10th consecutive playoff berth.

“It’s a lot of my hard work that paid off in the long run. We’re going to need it in times like this. That’s why I’m playing offense,” said the Baylor-committed York, the newly crowned homecoming king whose pair of 2-yard touchdown rushes helped Temple jump out to a 15-0 lead early in the second quarter before Hutto roared back with a valiant charge.

Following their 19th consecutive 12-6A win, the Wildcats (6-2 overall, 4-0 in district) needed to catch their collective breath before turning their attention toward next Friday’s showdown with co-leader Harker Heights (6-1, 3-0) at Killeen's Leo Buckley Stadium that again should determine the district championship.

Temple overcame two interceptions and two lost fumbles to survive and deny a game Hutto team (3-4, 0-3) that’s striving to remain in the playoff hunt in Will Compton’s first season as head coach.

“I think we fumbled the ball four times on the night and had (two) interceptions, so we’re minus-5 in the turnover category and still find a way to win. That speaks to the character of these young men,” said Temple head coach Scott Stewart, whose team was outscored 27-9 from early in the second quarter to late in the fourth. “But we’ve got to clean that crap up. That won’t work from this point on. If we’re going to play much longer, we’re going to have to get out of the charity business.

“Coach Compton does a great job and Hutto plays hard. I said that all week long. I think they’ve been trying to find themselves on defense statistically, and they did a great job tonight. They reduced our gaps inside and made us bounce it. But bottom line, if we connect on two or three (deep passes) and we don’t fumble the ball, we’re probably looking at (scoring) 48 or 56 points and nobody’s really worried about that.”

RETURN TO SENDER: Temple senior defensive end Jaylon Jackson (0) celebrates with Naeten Mitchell after Jackson blocked a 49-yard field goal attempt by Hutto kicker Timothy Hollenbeck in the final seconds of the first half of the Wildcats' 31-27 victory Friday night at Wildcat Stadium. Jackson also blocked Hollenbeck's 50-yard try in the third quarter and has three blocked field goals during District 12-6A play for first-place Temple. (Photo by Mike Lefner, Temple ISD/Special to TempleBeltonSports.com)

Although the Wildcats allowed Hammond’s go-ahead 4-yard touchdown pass to big, versatile senior Brody Bujnoch with 3:10 remaining, senior defensive end Jaylon Jackson never doubted that his squad had the fortitude to rebound and prevail in crunch time.

“I could tell we were going to go score. Nobody on the offensive line or the wide receivers freaked out. I didn’t see anybody down or throwing helmets,” said Jackson, who blocked two long field goal attempts by Hutto. “They knew they were going to go out there and do what they had to do. They did it, then the defense came back out there and did what we had to do.”

In a non-district game last September at Wildcat Stadium, then-sophomore Hammond came off the bench to run for a 76-yard touchdown and then threw four fourth-quarter touchdown passes against Temple backup defenders in Hutto’s 60-53 loss.

The strong-armed, dual-threat quarterback entered the rematch with 18 touchdown passes and zero interceptions this season, and Hammond’s play lived up to his advance billing. He threw TD passes of 38 yards to Alex Green, 32 yards to Carson LaPlante and 4 yards to Bujnoch as Hutto gained 260 yards through the air and 433 overall.

Mitchell’s game-ending interception – the New Mexico State commitment’s fourth pick this year – was the first interception thrown by Hammond (22-of-41, 269 yards) all season.

“We knew the quarterback was going to come in and be the best quarterback we were going to go against the whole year. I felt he was, and we had to get to him quick,” Jackson said. “We played the whole game tonight and didn’t let up at all.”

Said Stewart about Hutto’s Hammond-led attack that also got a 40-yard touchdown rush from hard-running Jalon Banks to begin the final period: “I’m not going to lie to you guys. I’m going to tell you the God’s honest truth as I see it. That’s the best offense in this district statistically, and they showed why tonight.”

GAME-SEALING PLAY: Temple's Naeten Mitchell makes an interception at the goal line on Hutto's Hail Mary pass with no time remaining as fellow senior defenders Taurean York (far left) and Mikal Harrison-Pilot look on, finishing the Wildcats' 31-27 homecoming victory Friday night at Wildcat Stadium. It was the fourth pick of the season for New Mexico State commitment Mitchell and the first interception thrown this year by Hippos junior quarterback Will Hammond against 21 touchdowns. (Photo by Mike Lefner, Temple ISD/Special to TempleBeltonSports.com)

Temple had not only the game’s first possession but also excellent field position after catching Hutto’s short kickoff at the Wildcats’ 49-yard line. Rumfield (9-of-23, 109 yards) fired a pass over the middle to senior receiver Mikal Harrison-Pilot (four catches for 65 yards), who sprinted along the right side and finally was pushed out at the 5 for a 46-yard gain.

From the 2, York was inserted at quarterback, took the shotgun snap and ran in untouched off right tackle for his first touchdown of the season. From a swinging gate formation, junior Damarion Willis ran straight ahead for the 2-point conversion, his fourth of the season, and an 8-0 Temple lead 2:20 into the opening period.

The Wildcats’ defense forced a three-and-out series, but the Hippos got the ball right back when linebacker Bujnoch recovered a fumble by senior running back Deshaun Brundage at the Hutto 46.

The turnover bug bit Temple again on its next possession when Steven Galindo darted across the middle and leaped to make an athletic interception of Rumfield’s pass at midfield.

Two plays later the Wildcats lost starting safety Willis – also their holder on kicks – to an upper-body injury. Hutto drove to the Temple 33, but on fourth-and-2 York, junior nose tackle Ayden Brown and senior tackle Ka’Morion Carter combined to tackle Banks for no gain and a turnover on downs.

Brundage’s 31-yard burst off left tackle and Mitchell’s 21-yard catch-and-run from Rumfield pushed Temple to the 2 before York, playing fullback, crashed over right guard for his second touchdown and a 15-0 Wildcats advantage 11 seconds into the second quarter.

The Hippos needed to respond, and they did quickly. Hammond threw to Devon McMarion for 19 yards, then fired a deep pass that Green caught against single coverage in the middle of the end zone for a 38-yard touchdown and a 15-7 game 2 minutes into the second.

Mitchell’s 33-yard return of the ensuing kickoff set Temple up at the Hutto 44, and Brundage (175 yards on 25 carries) ripped off a 24-yard run before the Wildcats settled for senior Mateo Lopez’s 37-yard field goal to take an 18-7 lead 8 minutes before halftime.

Again, however, Hutto found an answer. Banks (150 yards) carved through the defense for a 51-yard run before Harrison-Pilot shoved him out at the Temple 32. LaPlante then took advantage of a missed assignment in the secondary to get wide open on the left side and catch Hammond’s pass for a 32-yard touchdown that trimmed the Wildcats’ advantage to 18-14 with 7:36 remaining in the first half.

Temple’s next drive sputtered at midfield, but another key play by York resulted in a crucial mistake by the Hippos on special teams. As Bujnoch tried to catch Lopez’s high punt at the Hutto 17, York hit him with a hard shot and caused him to muff the ball and junior deep snapper Ethan Magana pounced on it at the 18 with 3 minutes left before halftime.

Rumfield’s 7-yard run helped Temple reach the 8 before junior running back Rymond Johnson followed senior tight end Landon Halvorson’s lead block to the left side for an 8-yard touchdown run that extended the Wildcats’ lead to 24-14 at the 1:06 mark.

Hutto advanced to Temple 32 with 9 seconds left and tried to get points on a 49-yard field goal from Timothy Hollenbeck, but Jackson crashed through the middle of the line and blocked the kick to preserve the Wildcats’ 10-point halftime lead.

Temple’s defense delivered a key stop on the second half’s opening possession. The Hippos reached the Wildcat 45, but a fourth-and-5 Hammond’s slant pass was too low as Temple grabbed a turnover on downs. However, the same thing happened on the ensuing drive as the Wildcats reached Hutto’s 28 before Rumfield threw too low on a fourth-and-8 crossing pass.

An unsportsmanlike conduct penalty then helped Hutto march to Temple’s 33, but the Wildcat defense stiffened and Hollenbeck’s 50-yard field goal attempt was rejected by the active, hard-to-block Jackson, who again penetrated the middle of the protection scheme for his second block of the night. He also blocked a field goal in the win at Bryan.

“When we played against (state-ranked) Arlington Martin, they had a good field goal (blocking unit). I took their technique and sprinted through the O-line," said Jackson, who tackled a Waco Midway ball carrier for a safety in Temple’s 44-10 road victory last week. "I told my boy Ayden Brown to hit ’em hard and I’ll get through there and get the field goal block."

Trying to add to its lead, Temple instead absorbed another turnover as Rumfield’s deep pass was intercepted by athletic safety Kenny Settles at the Hutto 20 and returned to its 36 with 1:25 remaining in the third.

A defensive holding penalty on fourth-and-4 prolonged Hutto’s ensuing drive, and the Hippos moved to Temple’s 40 before Banks blasted through the middle, cut out to the right side and beat the last defender to crash into the right pylon for the touchdown that cut the Wildcats’ lead to 24-21 10 seconds into the final quarter.

Four hard runs by Brundage helped Temple move to the Hutto 39, but he fumbled on his fifth carry of the drive and Bujnoch notched another recovery at his 28 with 9 minutes remaining.

An errant snap on Temple’s next possession pushed the Wildcats back to their 10 before they punted and Hutto took over at its 40 with 6½ minutes left. Needing to drive for the go-ahead touchdown, that’s exactly what the Hippos did.

Hammond’s third-down slant pass to LaPlante produced a 32-yard gain to the 12, then from Bujnoch got open in the left flat and caught Hammond’s pass for the 4-yard touchdown with 3:10 remaining for Hutto's first and only lead of the evening. But Hollenbeck missed the extra-point kick to the left, keeping the Hippos’ advantage at 27-24.

FINAL PUSH: Temple senior running back Deshaun Brundage tries to break through the grasp of a Hutto defender during the Wildcats' final drive, which concluded with a 2-yard touchdown pass from junior quarterback Reese Rumfield (10) to senior Taurean York with 42 seconds remaining. Brundage lost two fumbles but rushed for 175 yards as Temple (6-2, 4-0) prevailed 31-27 in Friday night's homecoming game at Wildcat Stadium to remain in the District 12-6A lead. The Wildcats play at Harker Heights (6-1, 3-0) next Friday night at Killeen's Leo Buckley Stadium. (Photo by Mike Lefner, Temple ISD/Special to TempleBeltonSports.com)

Instead of a deep kickoff, Hutto opted for an onside kick and Temple recovered at its 48. The Wildcats rode Brundage rushes of 12, 16 and 6 yards to move to the 20, then a Hippos defensive back was called for pass interference as he tried to cover sophomore receiver Christian Tutson on Rumfield’s throw to the right side of the end zone.

Brundage’s next two runs went for a combined 3 yards to the 2. With less than a minute remaining on third-and-goal, Rumfield deftly carried out a fake handoff to Brundage up the middle. The defense collapsed on Brundage, which allowed fullback York to sneak out into the right flat and easily catch Rumfield’s lofted pass in the end zone for the go-ahead 2-yard touchdown – York’s third TD from that distance – with 42 seconds remaining.

Lopez then made the extra point for a 31-27 lead, forcing a Hutto team that had used all its timeouts into a must-score-a-touchdown situation.

Gary Choice caught Hammond’s pass along the Hutto sideline and the Hippos picked up an extra 15 yards on the play when the Temple defender who tackled him was penalized for non-flagrant targeting, moving the ball to Temple’s 40 with 32 seconds left.

Another Hammond completion pushed Hutto to the 29, but the Hippos hurt themselves with back-to-back penalties on false starts.

Hutto had one final snap from the 39 with 2 seconds remaining. Hammond spun away from rushing defenders, rolled left and heaved a high-trajectory pass that descended into a leaping scrum of four Wildcats and two Hippos, including the 6-foot-3, 225-pound Bujnoch, near the goal line. The ball ricocheted off one player’s hands and bounced directly into the hands of Mitchell 5 yards away along the goal line.

With the clock showing all zeroes, Temple’s sideline and festive homecoming crowd celebrated wildly as Mitchell returned the interception approximately 55 yards before he ran out of bounds, completing a stirring comeback win for the Wildcats.

“It’s a bend-but-don’t-break (mentality). We’ve got two (defensive backs) out there who haven’t played football since they were in eighth grade, and so it’s next man up,” Stewart said. “We’ve got who we’ve got. I don’t get to go recruit people. I love these kids. They look for the opportunity, and when they get the opportunity they’ve got to try to make the most of it. And we made enough of it tonight.”

IN THE ZONE: Temple senior Taurean York jumps after rushing for a 2-yard touchdown off a direct snap during the first quarter of the Wildcats' 31-27 win over Hutto on Friday night at Wildcat Stadium. The Baylor-committed York, an all-state linebacker who was named homecoming king at halftime, added another 2-yard scoring run and caught the go-ahead 2-yard touchdown pass from junior Reese Rumfield with 42 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter. York also made 17 tackles and forced a fumble. (Photo by Mike Lefner, Temple ISD/Special to TempleBeltonSports.com)

York gave Hutto full credit for pushing Temple to the limit.

“They’re a really good program. I was telling them on the field, ‘Hey man, keep it up. Y’all are a great team. Keep fighting,’” York said. “They think I’m trying to be nice, but in between the white lines it’s a war zone. Hutto’s a playoff-caliber team, without a doubt.”

Added York about being announced as Temple’s homecoming king during a halftime ceremony: “That’s also pretty cool. I’m glad that my school had enough faith in me to represent them as homecoming king. That’s awesome stuff.”

With its 10th straight postseason trip secured, Temple now will begin preparing for a major challenge next Friday against Harker Heights, which had its open date Friday after beating Hutto 42-24 last week. Head coach Jerry Edwards’ Knights have the reigning 12-6A MVP in Houston-committed senior running back Re’Shaun Sanford II (1,326 rushing yards, nine touchdowns), and their fast, stingy defense has allowed only 17 points per game.

Heights built three-touchdown leads in the first half against Temple in 2020 and 2021, only for the resilient Wildcats to rally and earn memorable victories en route to finishing as 7-0 district champions. The Knights will be hungry to finally knock the Wildcats off their 12-6A pedestal next week in front of what should be a charged-up atmosphere at Leo Buckley.

“It’s a great opportunity to showcase who we are as a team. I think we’re going to start off fast and we’re going to finish fast. They know that we’re coming to town. It’s definitely going to be a showdown and I don’t expect anything else than a great game,” York said. “That’s a great program and their defense is better than it has been over the past three years that I’ve been playing. They’re right there with us, for sure.”

Said Jackson: “I’d say we’ve got to be ready for Re’Shaun Sanford. We can’t go out there like we played tonight. We’ve got to start strong. Offense has to start strong and defense has to get more stops than this week.”

Asked whether he has any worries about Temple being able to bounce back after its white-knuckle win over Hutto, Stewart said his Wildcats have no choice but to prepare themselves as well as possible for the highly anticipated battle against a motivated, worthy contender.

“It ain’t really going to make a difference if I worry about it or not. That game’s coming in seven days whether I’m worried about it or not, so I might as well not. We’ve got to get our butts ready to play against probably the most talented team in this district. I can’t worry about that,” Stewart said. “We’ll get them as ready as we can get them, and they’re going to have to make a choice to take that step or not. We’ll try to go put our best foot forward against a really good football team.”

#Temple #TempleWildcats #TempleFootball #TempleHighSchool #TaureanYork #NaetenMitchell #JaylonJackson #MikalHarrisonPilot #DeshaunBrundage #RymondJohnson #MateoLopez #ScottStewart #Hutto #WillHammond #BrodyBujnoch #HarkerHeights #ReShaunSanfordII #TXHSFB #Football2022 #TempleBeltonSports

NO TIME TO RELAX: Temple's momentum growing in 12-6A, but dynamic QB Hammond makes Hutto dangerous

FULL STEAM AHEAD: Temple senior tight end Landon Halvorson (right) tries to run past Waco Midway defender Landon Whisenton after catching a Reese Rumfield pass during the Wildcats' 44-10 victory last Friday at Panther Stadium. Halvorson made his first career touchdown reception, a 3-yarder from senior Mikal Harrison-Pilot with 8 seconds left in the first half. District 12-6A co-leader Temple (5-2, 3-0) plays its homecoming game against the Hutto Hippos (3-3, 0-2) at 7:30 tonight at Wildcat Stadium. (Photo by Mike Lefner, Temple ISD/Special to TempleBeltonSports.com)

By GREG WILLE

TempleBeltonSports.com

gwille2@hot.rr.com

The Temple Wildcats are riding a wave of momentum after they dominated previous nemesis Waco Midway for a 44-10 road win last Friday, their 18th consecutive victory against District 12-6A competition.

Meanwhile, the Hutto Hippos are one of two 12-6A teams still without a league win.

So as district co-leader Temple (5-2 overall, 3-0 in 12-6A) prepares for its homecoming game against hungry Hutto (3-3, 0-2) at 7:30 tonight at Wildcat Stadium, it would be simple for the casual observer to consider this matchup a mismatch.

After all, the Hippos have allowed a combined 90 points in district losses to Midway (48-37) and co-leader Harker Heights (42-24).

But remember this comment a coach sometimes will make about an opposing player: “He’s better than you want him to be.”

Well, Hutto dual-threat junior quarterback Will Hammond is better than Temple wants him to be, which in turn makes the Hippos better than the Wildcats want them to be.

Thirteen months ago at Wildcat Stadium, Hammond came off the bench in Temple’s non-district finale at Wildcat Stadium. He sprinted 76 yards for a touchdown late in the first quarter and then threw four fourth-quarter TD passes – two in the final 14 seconds – against the Wildcats’ defensive reserves in a 60-53 Temple win.

Now the full-time starter for Hutto, the 6-foot-3, 197-pound Hammond has produced a stellar junior season. He’s 101-of-167 passing for 1,516 yards and 18 touchdowns and hasn’t thrown any interceptions. The athletic, mobile Hammond also leads the Hippos in rushing with 439 yards and five TDs on 69 carries.

If Hammond performs well in the rematch against the Wildcats, it won’t be because he catches them by surprise.

“He’s good. You can tell he’s got a lot of savvy about him,” Temple head coach Scott Stewart said about Hammond, who’s received scholarship offers from Texas Tech, Texas-San Antonio, Tarleton State and Incarnate Word. “I don’t like playing against them, but I love quarterbacks who are like, ‘You’re not touching the ball tonight.’ Eighteen touchdowns to zero interceptions . . . he’s very comfortable throwing into tight spaces.

“He’s real poised and doesn’t panic. He owns it. He reminds me of (Texas quarterback) Quinn Ewers. He’s seeing it, taking what they give him and very patient. He’s got a good release and hits those windows. He doesn’t miss. He’s got every tangible thing.”

Of course, many of those same things were said about Willis junior quarterback Derek Lagway entering Temple’s home opener in early September, and the Wildcats’ aggressive, sure-tackling defense rendered the blue-chip recruit mostly ineffective before knocking him out of the game with a leg injury in the second half of Temple’s 34-20 win.

Therefore, what must the Wildcats’ defense – allowing only 16 points per game in district play – do to make things difficult for Hammond and the Hippos of first-year head coach Will Compton, who averaged 42 points per game in non-district wins against San Marcos, Liberty Hill and Converse Judson?

“He’s obviously a mobile quarterback and very efficient throwing on the run. The deal with a kid like this is if he gets in a rhythm it’s going to be impossible to get him out of it. So you’ve got to get him off his launching pad,” Stewart said. “With a four-man (defensive) front, in theory you’re guaranteed at least three 1-on-1s. If we can (pressure Hammond) with four, that makes life easier. If we can do it with three, I’ll drop eight (into pass coverage), because that kid hits small windows.”

Hutto features six players who have at least 160 receiving yards, paced by junior Alex Green’s 20 catches for 417 yards and five touchdowns, small-but-speedy senior Gary Choice (20-309-2) and senior Carson Forrest (19-195-4). Hutto senior JJ Banks is a versatile running back, having rushed for 247 yards and made 16 catches for 160 yards.

Temple defensive coordinator Dexter Knox said it’s important for his players to execute their gameplan and make the dynamic Hammond and the Hippos earn everything they get.

“The quarterback is very good and throws the ball really well. He can sling it. I think he’s a little faster than he was last year. He’s efficient, and if (the pass is) not there he’ll tuck it, because he can run,” said Knox, whose defense got a safety from senior Jaylon Jackson and allowed 241 total yards at Midway. “Their scheme’s good, so they can put you in a bind. We’re going to have to play well on defense.

“We’re going to have to cover well, that’s for sure. They do a lot of read stuff, so we’ll have to be sound up front with our assignments and fits. We’re going to have to make it happen in front of us. They’re very good at the big play and their receivers are fast, so we’ll try to eliminate big plays and make them drive down the field and earn it.”

Said Temple senior defensive end Kevin Stockton about guarding against Hut's Hammond-powered offense: “Just contain him in the pocket. He’s probably going to get what he gets just because he’s so good and athletic, but just contain him as much as you can and do what we do best.”

Hutto hired Compton in early June after head coach Brad LaPlante decided to concentrate on his athletic director duties. The Hippos went 29-14 in LaPlante's four seasons at the helm, including 20-3 in his first two. Hutto was 5-6 last year and lost 38-9 to eventual state champion Austin Westlake in the first round of the Class 6A Division II playoffs.

Stewart still sounded frustrated when he discussed Temple’s high-scoring home win over Hutto last year. The Wildcats entered that game 0-2, but their offense exploded – Reese Rumfield threw three touchdown passes of 50-plus yards – to build a 52-21 third-quarter lead. Hammond and Hutto produced a scoring barrage in the final period after Temple inserted its backup defenders.

Although the Wildcats' once-huge lead never was seriously threatened, allowing two TDs in the final 14 seconds left a sour taste in Stewart’s mouth.

“You’ve got them doubled up with 5 minutes and 20 seconds left in the game, then we run the 2s out there and they give up a two-play drive for a touchdown. Hutto gets an onside kick and three plays later scores a touchdown. We fumble a snap with our second offense, they get the ball and score two plays later,” an incredulous Stewart recalled, shaking his head. “It was literally 21 points in less than a minute on the game clock, so it was just a comedy of errors.”

As for Hutto’s defense, the Hippos have struggled to contain two of 12-6A’s best players in two league setbacks. Midway junior quarterback Junior Thornton – who missed the Temple game with an upper-body injury – ran for 210 yards and three touchdowns and passed for 161 yards and two TDs against Hutto. Last week, Harker Heights senior running back and reigning 12-6A MVP Re’Shaun Sanford II gashed the Hippos for 272 rushing yards and three touchdowns.

Hutto’s defense certainly will have its hands full against a well-rounded Temple attack that made big plays on the ground and through the air in the Wildcats’ long-awaited breakthrough win a week ago at Midway, which had been 6-0 against Temple dating to 2012.

Junior quarterback Rumfield passed for 200 yards and a touchdown and ran for his fourth TD of the season, and senior Deshaun Brundage rushed 13 times for 159 yards as Temple’s improving offensive line wore out the Panthers’ front seven.

Versatile Wildcats senior Mikal Harrison-Pilot was a force in many facets against Midway. He caught Rumfield’s 31-yard touchdown pass, rushed for two TDs and tossed a short TD pass to senior tight end Landon Halvorson as Temple built a commanding 36-10 halftime lead.

“You better know where he’s at. Talk about a once-in-a-career talent,” Stewart said about the physical Harrison-Pilot, a four-star national recruit who’s made 31 catches for 616 yards and six TDs. “He can throw, catch, play defensive back and return kicks. He’s special. I’m glad he’s a Temple Wildcat, I promise you that.”

Offensive coordinator Robby Case said he’s placing a high priority on giving the 6-foot, 196-pound Harrison-Pilot, a four-year starter, plentiful opportunities to do damage.

“I’m trying to do my best every week to get Mikal the ball as many times as possible. That’s the moral of the story,” Case said. “Sometimes teams make it harder on me than others because they’re going to double him. I’m just trying to find ways to get the ball in the kid’s hands, whether it’s snapping it to him or throwing it. He’s a weapon, and I think he’s having a better year because his confidence is growing more and more.”

Temple had sophomore Christian Tutson back in the lineup against Midway after the big-play wide receiver missed the 32-19 home win over Pflugerville Weiss because of an upper-body injury. Cleared to play right before the Midway game, Tutson (six touchdown catches) played limited snaps but contributed two receptions for 102 yards.

Stewart said a missed call by an officiating crew that Temple’s coaches had issues with all night cost Tutson a second-quarter touchdown catch.

“He caught a touchdown pass that they said was incomplete out of bounds, and we’ve got a still picture of his toe, foot, shin and knee inside the end zone. It was atrocious,” said Stewart, who was assessed an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty after arguing another call. “One official came back by me and said, ‘Coach, that was a touchdown.’ I was like, ‘Don’t tell me! Tell the other guy!’”

Big, physical senior linebacker Brody Bujnoch (6-3, 220) leads Hutto with 91 tackles, while senior safety/outside linebacker Kenny Settles has collected 58 tackles and three interceptions. The Hippos’ other top defenders include senior cornerback/safety Theodore Anderson (53 tackles), senior linebacker Tre Pitre (50 stops) and senior Jordan Parkinson (45 tackles, 2½ sacks).

Temple is closing in on its 10th consecutive playoff berth, a feat the Wildcats last achieved when legendary coach Bob McQueen guided them to 10 straight postseason trips from 1976-85.

Temple also is gunning for its fourth consecutive 12-6A championship, and next Friday’s clash against surging Harker Heights (6-1, 3-0) at Killeen’s Leo Buckley Stadium will go a long way toward settling the league crown. The Knights built three-touchdown leads in the first half against the Wildcats in 2020 and 2021 before Temple charged back to earn dramatic victories.

However, that long-anticipated showdown won’t arrive until next week. Against Hutto, Stewart wants to see Temple play a cleaner all-around game after key penalties and other mistakes hindered the Wildcats' progress at times against Midway.

“It’s not that we have anything figured out. That’s my biggest fear, when people start thinking they’ve got this game figured out, because that usually doesn’t work out. So I think there’s a balance there,” Stewart said. “I don’t want to be like nothing’s ever good enough, because I’ve been around that nightmare. But also, just because you do well doesn’t mean you rest on your laurels. The other part is, we’ve got to clean it up. I mean, it’s just way too many penalties and some of them were absolute head-scratchers.

“We’re getting better at celebrating all wins," he added. "I told the players, ‘You’ve got a chance to be a decent ballclub when you start putting four quarters together.’ Even sitting here today, I don’t think we’ve played our best four quarters. But at least that was some semblance of four quarters."

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