AREA HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL STATISTICS FOR REGULAR SEASON (includes scoring, tackles, interceptions)

BEHIND ENEMY LINES: Temple senior defensive tackle Ka'Morion Carter tackles Copperas Cove sophomore wide receiver Trishstin Glass for a loss during the Wildcats' 69-7 win over the Bulldawgs in last Friday's District 12-6A finale at Wildcat Stadium. Carter finished the regular season with 37 tackles and six sacks for district runner-up Temple (7-3), which will host familiar opponent Waxahachie (8-2) in a Class 6A Division I bi-district playoff game at 7:30 Friday night at Wildcat Stadium. (Photo by Mike Lefner, Temple ISD/Special to TempleBeltonSports.com)

CLASS 6A/5A

TEAM STATISTICS

OFFENSE

Total yards gained/

average per game

Killeen Shoemaker 4,903/490.3 (2,712 rushing/2,191 passing)

Lake Belton 4,293/429.3 (1,764 rushing, 2,529 passing)

Harker Heights 4,020/402.0 (2,634 rushing, 1,386 passing)

Belton 3,763/376.3 (1,808 rushing, 1,955 passing)

Temple 3,734/373.4 (1,631 rushing, 2,103 passing)

Killeen 3,242/324.2 (1,759 rushing, 1,483 passing)

Copperas Cove 2,692/269.2 (1,112 rushing, 1,580 passing)

Killeen Ellison 2,249/224.9 (591 rushing, 1,658 passing)

DEFENSE

Total yards allowed/

average per game

Killeen Shoemaker 1,951/195.1 (956 rushing, 995 passing)

Killeen Ellison 2,438/243.8 (834 rushing, 1,604 passing)

Harker Heights 2,561/256.1 (1,042 rushing, 1,519 passing)

Killeen 2,956/295.6 (1,654 rushing, 1,302 passing)

Belton 3,016/301.6 (1,699 rushing, 1,317 passing)

Temple 3,031/303.1 (1,529 rushing, 1,502 passing)

Lake Belton 3,315/331.5 (1,671 rushing, 1,644 passing)

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

OFFENSE

RUSHING

Minimum: 100 yards

Carries, yards, touchdowns

Re’Shaun Sanford II, Harker Heights 234 1,884 17

Deshaun Brundage, Temple 155 1,011 4

Jakobe Deloach, Killeen 174 1,000 12

Shaun Snapp, Belton 129 906 12

Jamarius Stewart, Killeen Shoemaker 114 799 10

Jerrod Hicks, Killeen Shoemaker 76 703 10

Craig Brown, Copperas Cove 125 679 5

LJ Underwood, Belton 104 529 6

D’Arius Wilkerson, Lake Belton 76 496 7

Tristan Robin, Lake Belton 85 473 8

Malachi Jerome, Killeen Shoemaker 66 456 2

Aimeer Washington, Harker Heights 88 372 6

De’Van’Te Johnson, Killeen 60 334 4

K’Mare Balfour, Killeen Shoemaker 36 284 5

Connor Crews, Lake Belton 55 271 9

Roderick Norman, Killeen 79 267 3

Floyd Bristol, Lake Belton 29 211 1

Micah Hudson, Lake Belton 27 211 1

X’Zavion Smith, Killeen Shoemaker 30 202 3

Daryl Cannie, Killeen Ellison 52 194 1

Jervonnie Williams, Temple 26 183 2

Joseph Fowlkes IV, Killeen Ellison 33 182 3

Dylan Plake, Harker Heights 39 175 6

Rymond Johnson, Temple 36 173 3

Jay Burrola, Belton 34 171 1

Markis Nash, Copperas Cove 44 164 3

Mikal Harrison-Pilot, Temple 26 157 4

Emory Watson, Killeen Ellison 40 146 1

Ty Brown, Belton 47 136 1

Rocky Crooks, Harker Heights 9 128 1

Steve Jackson, Temple 14 107 2

Kardae Hicks, Killeen 20 117 2

Tekoree Landours, Killeen 10 105 0

PASSING

Completions-attempts-

interceptions,

yards, touchdowns

Connor Crews, Lake Belton 156-249-5 2,522 30

Malachi Jerome, Killeen Shoemaker 134-210-6 2,126 20

Reese Rumfield, Temple 114-222-5 2,038 18

Ty Brown, Belton 130-234-8 1,903 21

Dylan Plake, Harker Heights 92-158-8 1,358 13

Roderick Norman, Killeen 106-172-6 1,313 11

Sidney Holland Jr., Killeen Ellison 89-182-5 1,292 9

Micah Casson, Copperas Cove 50-107-1 586 7

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

Blaine Butler, Copperas Cove 37-85-3 490 2

Xavier Dormeus, Killeen Ellison 18-37-1 300 3

Jerryn Pettijohn, Killeen 19-41-0 170 0

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

Mikal Harrison-Pilot, Temple 4-5-0 65 2

Slade LeBlanc, Belton 2-7-0 53 0

Jerrod Hicks, Killeen Shoemaker 1-1-0 48 0

RECEIVING

Minimum: 100 yards

Receptions, yards, touchdowns

Micah Hudson, Lake Belton 63 1,170 14

Mikal Harrison-Pilot, Temple 41 838 8

Tekoree Landours, Killeen 49 641 4

Christian Tutson, Temple 23 594 8

Garrett Oliveira, Belton 26 538 9

Khamani Debrow, Killeen Ellison 30 523 8

Trishstin Glass, Copperas Cove 42 513 6

Demetrius Pearce, Copperas Cove 26 497 5

Jerrod Hicks, Killeen Shoemaker 30 492 5

Javante Carson, Killeen Shoemaker 25 455 2

Jaydon Leza, Lake Belton 32 440 5

Slade LeBlanc, Belton 30 434 4

Johnathan Lahmann, Killeen Shoemaker 20 387 3

Tay’Veon Johnson, Killeen Ellison 28 379 2

Tyler Johnson, Harker Heights 26 368 7

Bobby Williams, Killeen Ellison 29 360 2

Mason Ramm, Belton 21 299 2

Maurice Starr, Killeen Shoemaker 22 287 4

Javeon Wilcox, Lake Belton 11 276 6

Isaac Abel, Belton 11 247 2

Raymond Howard, Killeen 24 242 2

Ty Legg, Lake Belton 18 232 3

Jamarius Stewart, Killeen Shoemaker 12 227 4

Jeremiah Lennon, Temple 11 223 1

Alexander Bailey, Harker Heights 13 198 1

Kardae Hicks, Killeen 17 191 4

Rocky Crooks, Harker Heights 19 186 2

Cash Robin, Lake Belton 13 183 1

Re’Shaun Sanford II, Harker Heights 12 183 1

Jordyn Jews, Killeen Ellison 19 195 0

Kai McMillian, Harker Heights 4 163 1

Daniel Izquierdo, Copperas Cove 16 155 1

K’Mare Balfour, Killeen Shoemaker 9 148 2

Aimeer Washington, Harker Heights 15 129 1

Jaquon Butler, Temple 11 125 1

Craig Brown, Copperas Cove 17 125 1

Diego Coleman, Belton 8 118 2

Cameron Hamilton, Lake Belton 6 113 1

Chris Vargas, Killeen 11 107 0

Isaiah Tanner-Butler, Killeen Shoemaker 6 105 1

Joshua Butler, Copperas Cove 4 101 1

Robert Harding, Killeen Ellison 8 100 0

Haiden Bryant, Killeen Shoemaker 13 100 0

SCORING

Touchdowns/2-point conversions/

field goals/extra points

Re’Shaun Sanford II, Harker Heights 110 points (18/1/0/0)

Jerrod Hicks, Killeen Shoemaker 100 points (16/2/0/0)

Micah Hudson, Lake Belton 96 points (16/0/0/0)

Jakobe Deloach, Killeen 78 points (13/0/0/0)

Jamarius Stewart, Killeen Shoemaker 78 points (13/0/0/0)

Mikal Harrison-Pilot, Temple 74 points (12/1/0/0)

Shaun Snapp, Belton 72 points (12/0/0/0)

Christian Tutson, Temple 60 points (10/0/0/0)

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

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

Khamani Debrow, Killeen Ellison 54 points (9/0/0/0)

Cole Jackson, Lake Belton 48 points (0/0/0/48)

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

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

Cole Chrisman, Belton 44 points (0/0/2/38)

Antonio Butler, Killeen Shoemaker 44 points (0/0/1/41)

Jai’den Fletcher, Harker Heights 43 points (0/0/2/37)

D’Arius Wilkerson, Lake Belton 42 points (7/0/0/0)

Tyler Johnson, Harker Heights 42 points (7/0/0/0)

Aimeer Washington, Harker Heights 42 points (7/0/0/0)

LJ Underwood, Belton 38 points (6/1/0/0)

K’Mare Balfour, Killeen Shoemaker 38 points (6/1/0/0)

Javeon Wilcox, Lake Belton 36 points (6/0/0/0)

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

Trishstin Glass, Copperas Cove 36 points (6/0/0/0)

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

Zy’Aire King, Killeen Ellison 36 points (6/0/0/0)

Ruben Menchaca, Killeen 35 points (0/0/3/26)

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

Demetrius Pearce, Copperas Cove 30 points (5/0/0/0)

Maurice Starr, Killeen Shoemaker 30 points (5/0/0/0)

Deshaun Brundage, Temple 24 points (4/0/0/0)

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

Slade LeBlanc, Belton 24 points (4/0/0/0)

Tommy Stephens, Lake Belton 24 points (0/0/6/6)

Joseph Fowlkes IV, Killeen Ellison 24 points (4/0/0/0)

Rymond Johnson, Temple 18 points (3/0/0/0)

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

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

Ty Legg, Lake Belton 18 points (3/0/0/0)

Markis Nash, Copperas Cove 18 points (3/0/0/0)

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

Rocky Crooks, Harker Heights 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)

Isaiah Tanner-Butler, Killeen Shoemaker 18 points (3/0/0/0)

Mateo Lopez, Temple 16 points (0/0/2/10)

Jovan Smith, Killeen Ellison 15 points (0/0/0/15)

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

Jervonnie Williams, Temple 12 points (2/0/0/0)

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

Diego Coleman, Belton 12 points (2/0/0/0)

Jake Stout, Belton 12 points (2/0/0/0)

Tre Phillips, 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)

Isaiah Hagan, Killeen Ellison 12 points (2/0/0/0)

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

Malachi Jerome, Killeen Shoemaker 12 points (2/0/0/0)

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

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

Daryl Cannie Jr., Killeen Ellison 8 points (1/1/0/0)

Keyshaun Robinson, Killeen Ellison 8 points (1/1/0/0)

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

Landon Halvorson, 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)

Ethan Ash, Belton 6 points (1/0/0/0)

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

Jay Burrola, Belton 6 points (1/0/0/0)

Wyatt Butler, Belton 6 points (1/0/0/0)

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

Nijyl McLeod, 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)

Cameron Hamilton, Lake Belton 6 points (1/0/0/0)

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

Cash Robin, Lake Belton 6 points (1/0/0/0)

Joshua Butler, Copperas Cove 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)

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)

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

Jevon Custis, 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)

Justice Janda, Killeen Shoemaker 6 points (1/0/0/0)

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

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)

Jasiyah Riley, Killeen Shoemaker 2 points (safety)

DEFENSE

TACKLES

Minimum: 20

Matthew Moore, Killeen Ellison 129

Kesean Meeks, Killeen Ellison 123

Jeremy Jennings, Harker Heights 114

Taurean York, Temple 113

Javeon Wilcox, Lake Belton 107

Wyatt Butler, Belton 92

Marcus Moultrie, Harker Heights 84

Cameron Gee, Killeen 84

Connor Brennan, Lake Belton 78

Kabriel Anderson-Dale, Harker Heights 76

Steve Albert, Killeen Ellison 75

Ty Legg, Lake Belton 74

Christopher Robinson, Harker Heights 71

Aaron Barnwell, Killeen 67

Tirso Lopez, Killeen 66

Valentino Greene, Killeen Shoemaker 66

Teryon Williams-Echols, Temple 64

Brendan Bett, Killeen Ellison 63

Lamarrion Cotton, Killeen 59

Bruce Onchweri, Lake Belton 58

Deaubry Hood, Harker Heights 58

Kaden Butler, Harker Heights 58

Zavion Tibbs, Killeen Shoemaker 58

Sam Babcock, Belton 56

Malik Esquerra, Killeen Shoemaker 54

Sam Shepard, Belton 53

Jamorion Stanford, Harker Heights 53

Donovan Thompson, Belton 52

Giani Zecca, Belton 51

Tyrone Osberry, Killeen Ellison 48

King White, Harker Heights 47

Naeten Mitchell, Temple 46

Evan Collazo, Harker Heights 46

Jequarrius McClendon, Killeen Shoemaker 46

Kyle Dalton, Lake Belton 45

Ethan Arendall, Belton 44

Selman Bridges, Lake Belton 42

Anthony Massey, Harker Heights 42

Isaiah Hagan, Killeen Ellison 41

Ronnie Collins, Killeen Shoemaker 41

Manuel Herrera, Lake Belton 40

Steve Jackson, Temple 38

Lamarian Hatcher, Harker Heights 38

Ka’Morion Carter, Temple 37

Kevin Stockton, Temple 36

Jevon Custis, Killeen Ellison 36

Zy’Aire King, Killeen Ellison 36

Terrel Prust, Killeen Ellison 35

Ayden Brown, Temple 34

D’Anthony Jackson, Belton 33

Hayden Hourany, Belton 33

Evan Roland, Lake Belton 32

Keyshaun Robinson, Killeen Ellison 30

John Cole, Lake Belton 29

DeAndre Reed, Killeen Ellison 29

Darrion Burleson, Killeen Shoemaker 29

Adam Walden, Lake Belton 28

To’o To’o Maugaotega, Killeen Shoemaker 28

Jaylon Jackson, Temple 27

Joshua Mallard, Lake Belton 27

Ashton Stanford, Harker Heights 27

Justice Janda, Killeen Shoemaker 27

Keuntaye Williams, Lake Belton 25

Quintrill Watson, Killeen 25

Sebastian Magana, Belton 24

Noah Moaga, Belton 24

Peanut Brazzle, Lake Belton 24

Rocky Parker, Lake Belton 24

Terrell Gilmore, Killeen 24

Matthew Knox, Killeen Ellison 24

Julian White, Temple 23

Amir Cavello, Killeen Ellison 23

Jamel Custis, Killeen Ellison 23

Eule Ford, Killeen Shoemaker 23

Luke Flores, Belton 22

Aidan Stock, Belton 22

Jaeshaun Peyton, Killeen 22

Antonio Saenz, Killeen 22

Rashad Jackson, Killeen Ellison 22

Dominick McCarty, Killeen Shoemaker 22

Desmond Adams, Belton 21

Bryson Sauceda, Belton 21

Josh Donoso, Temple 20

O’Ryan Peoples, Temple 20

Trey Phillips, Lake Belton 20

INTERCEPTIONS

Tyrone Osberry, Killeen Ellison 5

Naeten Mitchell, Temple 4

Isaiah Hagan, Killeen Ellison 4

Malik Esquerra, Killeen Shoemaker 4

Javeon Wilcox, Lake Belton 3

King White, Harker Heights 3

Lamarrion Cotton, Killeen 3

Jaeshaun Peyton, Killeen 3

DeAndre Reed, Killeen Ellison 3

Josh Donoso, Temple 2

Selman Bridges, Lake Belton 2

Malik Cuthbert, Copperas Cove 2

Anthony Jackson, Copperas Cove 2

Deaubry Hood, Harker Heights 2

Zy’Aire King, Killeen Ellison 2

Eule Ford, Killeen Shoemaker 2

Jaylon Jackson, Temple 1

Julian White, Temple 1

Sam Babcock, Belton 1

Luke Flores, Belton 1

Manuel Herrera, Lake Belton 1

Ty Legg, Lake Belton 1

Torre Mallard, Lake Belton 1

Bruce Onchweri, Lake Belton 1

Malik Davis, Copperas Cove 1

Kaden Butler, Harker Heights 1

Jeremy Jennings, Harker Heights 1

Christopher Robinson, Harker Heights 1

Ja’Ceon Davis, Killeen 1

Cameron Gee, Killeen 1

Tirso Lopez, Killeen 1

Antonio Saenz, Killeen 1

Quintrill Watson, Killeen 1

Brendan Bett, Killeen Ellison 1

Emanuel Morales, Killeen Ellison 1

Marquis Cross, Killeen Shoemaker 1

Marc Stephens, Killeen Shoemaker 1

CLASS 4A/3A/2A/PRIVATE

TEAM STATISTICS

OFFENSE

Total yards gained/

average per game

Rosebud-Lott 3,666/407.3 (2,499 rushing, 1,167 passing)

Academy 3,709/370.9 (1,569 rushing, 2,140 passing)

Cameron Yoe 3,694/369.4 (1,598 rushing, 2,096 passing)

Lampasas 3,660/366.0 (1,387 rushing, 2,273 passing)

Granger 3,246/360.7 (2,405 rushing, 841 passing)

Rockdale 3,588/358.8 (1,589 rushing, 1,999 passing)

Salado 3,527/352.7 (1,231 rushing, 2,296 passing)

Gatesville 3,478/347.8 (1,475 rushing, 2,003 passing)

Jarrell 3,442/344.2 (1,163 rushing, 2,279 passing)

Rogers 3,424/342.4 (2,713 rushing, 711 passing)

Central Texas Christian 3,265/326.5 (2,307 rushing, 958 passing)

Troy 2,452/245.2 (1,436 rushing, 1,016 passing)

Moody 2,369/236.9 (1,347 rushing, 1,022 passing)

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

DEFENSE

Total yards allowed/

average per game

Rogers 2,483/248.3 (1,229 rushing, 1,254 passing)

Academy 3,260/326.0 (2,027 rushing, 1,233 passing)

Salado 3,286/328.6 (1,341 rushing, 1,945 passing)

Gatesville 3,774/377.4 (1,907 rushing, 1,867 passing)

Rockdale 4,222/422.2 (2,570 rushing, 1,652 passing)

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING

Minimum: 100 yards

Carries, yards, touchdowns

Reagan Ragsdale, Central Texas Christian 246 1,496 19

DJ McClelland, Granger 157 1,354 19

Rayshon Smith, Gatesville 162 1,015 11

Kyle Finan, Rosebud-Lott 84 851 9

Kase Maedgen, Salado 161 830 8

Kardarius Bradley, Cameron Yoe 118 810 12

Ryder Hohhertz, Moody 128 792 11

Moses Fox, Rosebud-Lott 66 688 6

Blaydn Barcak, Rockdale 147 654 9

Garrett Wolfe, Rogers 120 626 10

Aden Rascoe, Lampasas 101 610 8

JaMarion Nibblett, Jarrell 105 584 9

Kasey Mraz, Academy 99 561 6

Lane Ward, Academy 82 541 6

Cooper Sisneroz, Rogers 109 539 8

Ethan Allerkamp, Central Texas Christian 91 533 6

Bryce Watson, Rogers 53 505 3

Nathan Tucker, Granger 79 411 8

Tim Grice, Rockdale 70 383 3

Cooper Valle, Troy 68 374 3

Abraham Hernandez, Rogers 47 366 4

Jamarquis Johnson, Rosebud-Lott 26 339 3

Jett Walker, Lampasas 57 326 3

Clayton Lawson, Academy 95 316 6

Armando Reyes, Cameron Yoe 63 308 9

Cooper Staton, Moody 48 295 4

Jimmy Hall, Gatesville 72 292 5

Luke Law, Salado 101 289 10

David Flores, Lampasas 54 279 5

Gage Richardson, Troy 55 278 0

Kemar Spencer, Rockdale 53 268 3

Zach Davis, Rogers 34 261 2

Korey Gibson, Troy 55 241 2

Tyrrell Horne, Bruceville-Eddy 29 237 1

Breon Lewis, Rosebud-Lott 12 228 5

Karsen Gomez, Rogers 24 222 3

Braylan Drake, Cameron Yoe 26 197 2

Tavares Crittendon, Cameron Yoe 40 172 6

Isaac Lizardo, Granger 37 164 0

Zeke Castro, Rockdale 32 163 2

Chad Pate, Bruceville-Eddy 39 150 2

Andrew Mitchell, Troy 28 143 1

Kadyn Martinez, Troy 45 142 2

Jalani Price, Jarrell 9 125 1

Luke Chiles, Central Texas Christian 9 124 2

Andrew Knebel, Jarrell 15 110 4

Jett Jolly, Granger 16 104 0

Jacob Carruth, Jarrell 24 100 1

Keith Dailey, Moody 23 100 1

PASSING

Completions-attempts-

interceptions,

yards, touchdowns

Luke Law, Salado 167-314-14 2,289 21

Andrew Knebel, Jarrell 143-282-10 2,279 26

David Flores, Lampasas 169-262-11 2,179 27

Kasey Mraz, Academy 163-245-7 2,091 20

Braylan Drake, Cameron Yoe 150-227-4 2,013 23

Jacob Newkirk, Gatesville 153-265-12 2,005 21

Blaydn Barcak, Rockdale 129-229-10 1,946 22

Ryder Hohhertz, Moody 84-156-5 1,012 6

Ethan Sorensen, Troy 82-175-8 990 13

Cooper Smith, Central Texas Christian 85-139-6 903 5

Nathan Tucker, Granger 69-131-4 819 7

Cooper Sisneroz, Rogers 29-63-1 685 8

Kyle Finan, Rosebud-Lott 51-103-5 682 7

Jamarquis Johnson, Rosebud-Lott 12-19-2 302 3

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

Demarcus Hicks, Rosebud-Lott 12-23-0 183 1

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

Carter Johnson, Lampasas 1-1-0 70 1

Cavalli Nealy, Academy 3-8-2 53 0

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

Isaac Lizardo, Granger 2-5-1 29 1

Karsen Gomez, Rogers 1-1-0 26 0

Kadyn Martinez, Troy 1-1-0 25 0

RECEIVING

Minimum: 100 yards

Receptions, yards, touchdowns

Ethan Moreno, Lampasas 70 962 6

Robert Owens, Rockdale 58 938 12

Seth Reavis, Salado 55 922 11

Scout Brazeal, Academy 60 775 8

Jacques Spradley, Jarrell 38 699 11

Trevor Smith, Gatesville 57 696 6

Trayjen Wilcox, Cameron Yoe 48 621 5

Mason Dotson, Jarrell 29 598 6

Zane Clark, Academy 34 555 6

Breon Lewis, Rosebud-Lott 35 553 8

Alex Lawton, Academy 42 540 3

Owen Stubbs, Lampasas 28 454 9

Jamarquis Johnson, Rosebud-Lott 28 449 2

Reed Ketcham, Troy 26 391 3

Tyler Shea, Gatesville 22 386 5

Dakarai Barnes, Jarrell 26 383 4

Aden Rascoe, Lampasas 36 376 6

Tristan Eanes, Central Texas Christian 24 367 2

Charlie Mayer, Cameron Yoe 24 357 8

Cooper Staton, Moody 27 356 1

Carter Johnson, Lampasas 25 351 5

Zach Davis, Rogers 14 330 5

Dathan Walker, Jarrell 17 327 5

Morgan Adams, Salado 21 327 3

Kyle Shafer, Gatesville 25 324 6

DJ McClelland, Granger 16 311 4

Roman Law, Salado 21 309 1

Gerren Marrero, Rockdale 14 297 7

Kase Maedgen, Salado 31 276 3

Armando Reyes, Cameron Yoe 16 273 3

Deandre Stephens, Rockdale 14 263 2

Kason Goolsby, Cameron Yoe 10 261 1

Tucker Staton, Moody 18 253 2

Caden Strickland, Salado 25 243 2

Tim Grice, Rockdale 13 229 1

Christopher Bailey, Bruceville-Eddy 14 222 3

Ben Matias, Moody 15 217 3

Sean Aguilar, Gatesville 13 209 0

Riley Spears, Rockdale 18 205 1

Connor Jeter, Cameron Yoe 12 195 1

Jayden Thomas, Rosebud-Lott 11 192 3

Adrian Smith, Gatesville 20 186 1

Luke Tomasek, Academy 17 182 2

Brendan Wilson, Salado 11 182 1

Reagan Ragsdale, Central Texas Christian 20 169 1

Quori Hardman, Cameron Yoe 12 163 4

Jacob McCormick, Rogers 8 163 1

Korey Gibson, Troy 6 150 2

Ja’Qualyn Fields, Cameron Yoe 19 140 2

Lucas Matta, Granger 11 140 2

Cooper Valle, Troy 14 131 6

Jacob Good, Central Texas Christian 11 113 1

Christian Beltran, Jarrell 11 110 1

Luke Chiles, Central Texas Christian 13 100 0

SCORING

Touchdowns/2-point conversions/

field goals/extra points

DJ McClelland, Granger 138 points (23/0/0/0)

Reagan Ragsdale, Central Texas Christian 122 points (20/1/0/0)

Breon Lewis, Rosebud-Lott 92 points (15/1/0/0)

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

Aden Rascoe, Lampasas 88 points (14/2/0/0)

Armando Reyes, Cameron Yoe 81 points (13/1/0/1)

Robert Owens, Rockdale 78 points (13/0/0/0)

Kardarius Bradley, Cameron Yoe 72 points (12/0/0/0)

Rayshon Smith, Gatesville 72 points (11/3/0/0)

Ryder Hohhertz, Moody 72 points (12/0/0/0)

Kase Maedgen, Salado 68 points (11/1/0/0)

Jacques Spradley, Jarrell 66 points (11/0/0/0)

Seth Reavis, Salado 66 points (11/0/0/0)

Kyle Finan, Rosebud-Lott 64 points (10/2/0/0)

Luke Law, Salado 62 points (10/1/0/0)

Garrett Wolfe, Rogers 60 points (10/0/0/0)

Cooper Valle, Troy 60 points (10/0/0/0)

Cooper Sisneroz, Rogers 58 points (8/5/0/0)

JaMarion Nibblett, Jarrell 56 points (9/1/0/0)

Owen Stubbs, Lampasas 54 points (9/0/0/0)

Scout Brazeal, Academy 50 points (8/1/0/0)

Luke Chiles, Central Texas Christian 50 points (2/0/3/29)

Landon Richardson, Lampasas 50 points (1/0/4/32)

Charlie Mayer, Cameron Yoe 48 points (8/0/0/0)

Nathan Tucker, Granger 48 points (8/0/0/0)

Trayjen Wilcox, Cameron Yoe 46 points (6/5/0/0)

Zane Clark, Academy 42 points (7/0/0/0)

Kasey Mraz, Academy 42 points (7/0/0/0)

Landen Greene, Cameron Yoe 42 points (0/0/1/39)

Gerren Marrero, Rockdale 42 points (7/0/0/0)

Daniel Romero, Rockdale 42 points (0/0/3/33)

Zach Davis, Rogers 42 points (7/0/0/0)

Kyle Shafer, Gatesville 40 points (6/2/0/0)

Lucas Sanderson, Academy 39 points (0/0/5/24)

Jose Valverde, Granger 39 points (0/0/3/30)

Cooper Staton, Moody 38 points (6/1/0/0)

Daniel Chtay, Salado 38 points (0/0/3/29)

Clayton Lawson, Academy 36 points (6/0/0/0)

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

Tavares Crittendon, 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)

Mason Dotson, Jarrell 36 points (6/0/0/0)

Carter Johnson, Lampasas 36 points (5/0/0/6)

Ethan Moreno, Lampasas 36 points (6/0/0/0)

Moses Fox, Rosebud-Lott 36 points (6/0/0/0)

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

Baldemar Arzola, Rogers 34 points (0/0/2/28)

Tyler Shea, Gatesville 32 points (5/1/0/0)

Quori Hardman, Cameron Yoe 30 points (5/0/0/0)

Jimmy Hall, Gatesville 30 points (5/0/0/0)

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

David Flores, Lampasas 30 points (5/0/0/0)

Jacob Newkirk, Gatesville 28 points (4/2/0/0)

Tyler McKissick, Troy 28 points (0/0/3/19)

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

Dakarai Barnes, Jarrell 26 points (4/1/0/0)

Abraham Hernandez, Rogers 26 points (4/1/0/0)

Andrew Knebel, Jarrell 24 points (4/0/0/0)

Tim Grice, Rockdale 24 points (4/0/0/0)

Karsen Gomez, Rogers 24 points (4/0/0/0)

Reed Ketcham, Troy 24 points (4/0/0/0)

Bryce Watson, Rogers 22 points (3/2/0/0)

Dalton Cox, Moody 21 points (0/0/2/15)

Morgan Adams, Salado 20 points (3/1/0/0)

Alex Lawton, Academy 18 points (3/0/0/0)

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

Jett Walker, Lampasas 18 points (3/0/0/0)

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

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

Bryan Thuy, Rogers 18 points (3/0/0/0)

Jayden Thomas, Rosebud-Lott 18 points (3/0/0/0)

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

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

Nicolas Rodriguez, Jarrell 17 points (0/0/2/11)

Luke Tomasek, Academy 14 points (2/1/0/0)

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

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

Ja’Qualyn Fields, Cameron Yoe 12 points (2/0/0/0)

Tristan Eanes, Central Texas Christian 12 points (2/0/0/0)

Mason Mooney, Gatesville 12 points (2/0/0/0)

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

Jalani Price, Jarrell 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)

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)

Demarcus Hicks, 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)

Angel Almendariz, Gatesville 9 points (0/0/0/9)

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)

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)

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

Connor Jeter, 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)

Kamari Fisher, Jarrell 6 points (1/0/0/0)

Tyler Johnson, 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)

Jacob McCormick, 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)

Easton Fulton, 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)

Ethan Sorensen, 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)

DEFENSE

TACKLES

Minimum: 20

Lawson Mooney, Gatesville 147

Quori Hardman, Cameron Yoe 130

Mason Mooney, Gatesville 118

Ryder Casqueira, Moody 118

Brice Lisenbe, Rogers 117

Ashtyn Culley, Gatesville 106

Reagan Ragsdale, Central Texas Christian 100

Thiele Alvarado, Gatesville 98

Sean Aguilar, Gatesville 91

Adam Benavides, Salado 86

Daniel Rodriguez, Rosebud-Lott 85

Cade Pantaleon, Rockdale 84

Tyler Burnett, Academy 82

Luke Chiles, Central Texas Christian 80

Preston Hering, Rosebud-Lott 78

Chase Edwards, Granger 77

Nolan Miller, Salado 77

Carlos Salomon, Cameron Yoe 76

Ayden Necessary, Gatesville 75

Javares Crittendon, Cameron Yoe 72

Garrett Combs, Salado 71

Dusty Rhiddlehoover, Salado 71

Gabriel Logsdon, Central Texas Christian 70

Lucas Garcia, Gatesville 69

Cooper Staton, Moody 66

Ben Ford, Rosebud-Lott 66

Davis Graham, Salado 66

Easton Fulton, Rosebud-Lott 65

Drew Bird, Salado 65

Johnny Martinez, Rosebud-Lott 64

Lincoln Hossfeld, Salado 63

Daniel Munoz-Garcia, Academy 62

Moses Fox, Rosebud-Lott 62

Malik Davis, Jarrell 61

Armando Reyes, Cameron Yoe 60

Clayton Doskocil, Rosebud-Lott 59

Tristan Eanes, Central Texas Christian 58

Karsen Gomez, Rogers 58

Hayden Delafuente, Cameron Yoe 57

LaBron Washington, Rosebud-Lott 57

Landen Greene, Cameron Yoe 55

Henry Pitman, Central Texas Christian 55

Connor Woods, Rogers 55

DJ McClelland, Granger 53

Korey Gibson, Troy 51

Cavahn Wilson, Salado 50

Corey Burns, Gatesville 49

Gavin Bennett, Rogers 49

Kadyn Martinez, Troy 49

Loyal Morris, Central Texas Christian 48

Scout Brazeal, Academy 46

Keshon Johnson, Cameron Yoe 46

Evan Hutka, Granger 45

Jackson Landeros, Rogers 45

Kyle Finan, Rosebud-Lott 45

Breon Lewis, Rosebud-Lott 45

Elijah Sunderman, Troy 45

Kason Herbelin, Gatesville 44

Cruz San Migel, Rockdale 44

Dylan Pursley, Jarrell 43

Adrian Smith, Gatesville 41

James Mabe, Jarrell 41

Ricky Aguilar, Moody 41

Jaden Anzaldua, Moody 41

Ethan Hohhertz, Moody 41

Isaiah Sauls, Rockdale 41

Cooper Schiller, Rogers 41

Garrett Wolfe, Rogers 41

Yahir Mendoza, Rosebud-Lott 41

Andrew Mitchell, Troy 41

Ethan Martone, Jarrell 40

Jalani Price, Jarrell 40

Gerren Marrero, Rockdale 40

Zane Clark, Academy 39

Rowling Barton, Rosebud-Lott 39

Jacob McCormick, Rogers 38

Tavares Crittendon, Cameron Yoe 37

Colton Taylor, Gatesville 37

Brayden Bolyard, Jarrell 37

Matt Rose, Central Texas Christian 36

Michael Jenkins, Rogers 36

Sammy Guerrero, Jarrell 35

Cooper Emmons, Rosebud-Lott 35

Anthony Bradley, Bruceville-Eddy 34

Kason Goolsby, Cameron Yoe 34

Matthew Craft, Jarrell 34

Peyten Crawford, Troy 34

Alek Castro, Jarrell 33

Devonte Anderson, Moody 33

Jamarquis Johnson, Rosebud-Lott 33

Cannon Negron, Troy 33

Tripp Wilkie, Granger 32

Kemar Spencer, Rockdale 32

Bryce Watson, Rogers 32

Cayden Stringfellow, Central Texas Christian 31

Tatum Taylor, Gatesville 31

Thomas Hall, Granger 31

Isaac Lizardo, Granger 31

Michael Selucky, Granger 31

Nicolas Rodriguez, Jarrell 31

Cartier Nealy, Academy 30

Payton Wilson, Academy 30

Samari Ware, Cameron Yoe 30

Cooper Valle, Troy 30

Rodrigo Cobian, Central Texas Christian 29

Kamari Fisher, Jarrell 29

AJ Fach, Salado 29

Nicholaus Squyres, Bruceville-Eddy 28

Roman Morris, Central Texas Christian 28

Tommy Aaron, Gatesville 27

Carlos Saucedo, Rosebud-Lott 27

Braden Bass, Academy 26

Tylor Eddins, Bruceville-Eddy 26

Evan Allerkamp, Central Texas Christian 26

Jose Castillo, Rockdale 26

Levi Thomas, Academy 25

Dalton Cox, Moody 25

RJ Dolgener, Rogers 25

Jayden Thomas, Rosebud-Lott 25

Grady Falcon, Troy 25

Lane Ward, Academy 24

Carson Carter, Bruceville-Eddy 24

Charlie Mayer, Cameron Yoe 24

Trayjen Wilcox, Cameron Yoe 24

Nathan Tucker, Granger 24

Keith Dailey, Moody 24

Josh Kohring, Rogers 24

Kasey Mraz, Academy 23

Alex Lawton, Academy 22

Cody Webb, Cameron Yoe 22

Tucker Staton, Moody 22

Carson Eoff, Rockdale 22

Tim Grice, Rockdale 22

Demarcus Hicks, Rosebud-Lott 22

Dillon Combs, Salado 22

Trey Vargas, Academy 21

Jacob Carruth, Jarrell 21

Ethan Gonzales, Moody 21

Tristan Galvan, Rockdale 21

Nestor Solis, Rogers 21

Clayton Lawson, Academy 20

Ross Petree, Moody 20

Carson Kahlig, Rosebud-Lott 20

Darius Wilson, Salado 20

INTERCEPTIONS

Kason Herbelin, Gatesville 6

Nicolas Rodriguez, Jarrell 6

Cayden Stringfellow, Central Texas Christian 5

Sean Aguilar, Gatesville 5

Alex Lawton, Academy 4

Jalani Price, Jarrell 3

Reed Jerome, Lampasas 3

Brock Langford, Lampasas 3

Moses Fox, Rosebud-Lott 3

Reed Ketcham, Troy 3

Cannon Negron, Troy 3

Kason Goolsby, Cameron Yoe 2

Quori Hardman, Cameron Yoe 2

Trayjen Wilcox, Cameron Yoe 2

Lawson Mooney, Gatesville 2

Ayden Necessary, Gatesville 2

Trae Herrera, Granger 2

Kamari Fisher, Jarrell 2

Ethan Martone, Jarrell 2

Gerren Marrero, Rockdale 2

Cooper Schiller, Rogers 2

Clayton Doskocil, Rosebud-Lott 2

Breon Lewis, Rosebud-Lott 2

Drew Bird, Salado 2

Kadyn Martinez, Troy 2

Braden Bass, Academy 1

Scout Brazeal, Academy 1

Luke Tomasek, 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

Luke Chiles, Central Texas Christian 1

Rhett Humphrey, Central Texas Christian 1

Mason Mooney, Gatesville 1

Adrian Smith, Gatesville 1

Isaac Lizardo, Granger 1

DJ McClelland, Granger 1

Jose Valverde, Granger 1

Brayden Bolyard, Jarrell 1

Tyler Johnson, Jarrell 1

Antavas Rogers, Jarrell 1

Ross Vrabel, Jarrell 1

Ricky Aguilar, Moody 1

Tucker Staton, Moody 1

Tristan Galvan, Rockdale 1

Tim Grice, Rockdale 1

Cade Pantaleon, Rockdale 1

Gavin Bennett, Rogers 1

Brice Lisenbe, Rogers 1

Jaime Reyna, Rogers 1

Cooper Sisneroz, Rogers 1

Bryce Watson, Rogers 1

Kyle Finan, Rosebud-Lott 1

Ben Ford, Rosebud-Lott 1

Carlos Saucedo, Rosebud-Lott 1

Jamarquis Johnson, Rosebud-Lott 1

Jayden Thomas, 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 #CameronYoe #CentralTexasChristian #CopperasCove #Gatesville #Granger #HarkerHeights #Jarrell #Killeen #KilleenEllison #KilleenShoemaker #Lampasas #Moody #Rockdale #Rogers #RosebudLott #Salado #Troy #TXHSFB #Football2022 #TempleBeltonSports

BRONCO BREAKTHROUGH: Big first half sparks Lake Belton past Ellison 24-13 to earn first playoff trip

FULL EXTENSION: Lake Belton junior wide receiver Ty Legg gets past Killeen Ellison's Matthew Knox (32) and stretches out to make a 15-yard touchdown catch from senior quarterback Connor Crews 1:14 before halftime during the Broncos' 24-13 win over the Eagles in Friday night's regular-season finale at Tiger Field. Lake Belton (8-2) finished 6-2 in District 4-5A Division I to share second place as coach Brian Cope's Broncos earned a playoff berth in their first season of postseason eligibility. Lake Belton plays its bi-district game at Burleson Centennial (9-1) at 7 p.m. next Friday. (Photo by Dennis Knowlton/Special to TempleBeltonSports.com)

By GREG WILLE

TempleBeltonSports.com

gwille2@hot.rr.com

BELTON – When the Lake Belton Broncos gathered in August 2020 for the first football practice in their school’s history, they already were thinking about and talking about competing in the state playoffs.

The 2022 playoffs, that is.

Lake Belton had to remain patient as it played an outlaw sub-varsity schedule in 2020 and then an independent varsity slate in 2021, compiling a stellar 18-1 record while waiting to join a University Interscholastic League district for the first time in its third season.

Suiting up senior players for the first time, head coach Brian Cope and the confident Broncos entered their debut season in Class 5A Division I with a clearly stated goal: to qualify for the playoffs in their first year of UIL eligibility.

Lake Belton had to wait until the regular season’s final week and then had to wait out a 2-hour weather delay against Killeen Ellison in a District 4-5A Division I finale Friday night at soggy Tiger Field, but the persistent Broncos finally got what they’ve been working toward for three years.

Connor Crews threw touchdown passes to Micah Hudson, Javeon Wilcox and Ty Legg as Lake Belton built a 21-7 halftime lead, then the Broncos’ sure-tackling defense stymied the Eagles in the second half as Lake Belton earned a 24-13 victory that clinched that prized position in the playoffs.

“It’s amazing. There’s a weight off my shoulders and off my chest. I think it was on everyone. This has been our team goal forever,” said Crews, the Broncos’ starting quarterback for all three seasons. “Coach Cope’s always pushed that when we get our chance, we’ve got to take it, and we definitely did that tonight.”

Following its open date last week, Lake Belton entered Week 11 at 7-2 overall and 5-2 in district, yet the Broncos still had to defeat playoff-hungry Ellison (5-5, 4-4) to seize 4-5A D-I’s final available postseason berth after champion Midlothian and second-place teams Killeen Shoemaker and Red Oak already had clinched three spots.

After Wilcox’s 81-yard catch-and-run touchdown from fellow senior Crews gave Lake Belton a 14-7 advantage 4½ minutes into the second quarter, the Broncos (8-2, 6-2) never looked back.

The result is a history-making playoff trip for Lake Belton’s seasoned 2022 team – something Cope and his players and coaches have been striving for ever since he was hired in January 2020 to build the Broncos’ program from the ground up.

“There’s a helmet in my office with the number 22 on it. I needed the kids to buy into our vision, and they did,” Cope said after the pushed-back game ended at 11:40 p.m. “Man, I’m just thankful for a group of kids that bought in and a group of parents, a community and an administration that are top notch.

“And to have that opportunity to make the playoffs in our first year (of eligibility) . . . we’ll reset our goals tomorrow, but our first goal was to get in. I’m just thankful for everything and for an unbelievable family that supports me more than I could ever ask.”

Lake Belton tied fellow 8-2 squads Shoemaker and Red Oak for second place in the district, two games behind fifth-ranked Midlothian (10-0). Because Lake Belton, Shoemaker and Red Oak all went 1-1 against each other, the league used its points tiebreaker system to determine the playoff seedings. Red Oak is seeded second, Lake Belton third and Shoemaker fourth.

The Broncos’ first postseason opponent is 3-5A D-I runner-up Burleson Centennial (9-1), which will host Lake Belton at 7 p.m. next Friday at Burleson ISD Stadium. The Spartans’ lone loss was a 64-21 district setback Oct. 14 against third-ranked and perennial power Aledo. Centennial has outscored opponents 419-160 overall.

“They’re pretty solid. We already know we’re the underdogs in that game, but we’ve got the chip on our shoulder. Even though we made it to the playoffs, we’ve still got that chip,” said Crews, whose team’s only losses were by one point to Shoemaker on a last-second touchdown and by two points at undefeated Midlothian two weeks ago. “We’re going to go up there and ball out and do our job. We’re going to stick to our 212 motto and just push it every time.”

WINNING MOMENT: Lake Belton senior quarterback Connor Crews passed for 300 yards and three touchdowns – to Micah Hudson, Javeon Wilcox and Ty Legg – as the third-year Broncos defeated Killeen Ellison 24-13 on Friday night at Tiger Field to clinch a playoff spot in their first season of eligibility in District 4-5A Division I. Crews, a three-year starter, finished the regular season with 2,522 passing yards and 30 touchdowns for Lake Belton (8-2, 6-2). (Photo by Greg Wille, TempleBeltonSports.com)

Crews was 18-of-32 passing for 300 yards and three touchdowns, increasing his season totals to 2,522 yards and 30 TDs against five interceptions. Ten of his completions went to explosive junior Hudson, the 6-foot, 190-pound five-star recruit who totaled 132 yards and finished the regular season with 63 catches for 1,170 yards and 14 touchdowns.

Despite rushing for only 69 yards, Lake Belton’s potent offensive attack accumulated 354 total yards against a strong, aggressive Ellison defense that came in allowing 234 total yards per game.

“(Ellison has the) best defense in the district, and there were 11 ‘dudes’ on their defense,” Cope said. “We found a way to capitalize (in the first half) and we were able to run the ball late, which was really good.”

Crews connected with seven receivers overall, finding seniors Jaydon Leza and Christian Kunz, junior Tyus Jackson and sophomore Cash Robin along with Hudson, Wilcox and Legg.

“(The plan) was just giving the ball to our guys in space. (Ellison is) athletic out there, too, but we were confident in our guys on the outside and just trusted it,” said Crews, whose only blemish was an interception by Zy’Aire King on a deep throw intended for Hudson early in the third quarter. “We had some frustrations and mishaps, but we stayed true to the gameplan, trusted each other and we stayed as a team throughout the whole game, and I think that’s really what helped us win.”

Ellison needed to win to reach the playoffs for the first time since 2017 and prevent Lake Belton from achieving its postseason dream. The Eagles of second-year head coach Danny Servance got 207 passing yards from sophomore quarterback Sidney Holland, highlighted by a game-tying 69-yard touchdown to Khamani Debrow 13 seconds after Crews’ 34-yard TD pass to Hudson gave the Broncos a 7-0 lead 7 minutes into the showdown.

However, Ellison rushed for only 69 yards and didn’t score again until Emory Watson’s 2-yard TD run capped the scoring with 3:24 left in the fourth quarter.

A major storm that swept across Central Texas and darkened the sky above Tiger Field delayed the game 2 hours from its original 7 p.m. start time because of numerous lightning strikes detected nearby. The teams finally entered the rain-soaked field for warmups around 7:50 and kicked off around 9 in cool, breezy conditions.

Crews said the lengthy pregame wait in the locker room didn’t have any negative effect on Lake Belton’s focus and preparation.

“We were just playing music. The guys who listen to speaker music, that’s what they were doing. I had my headset on, listening to my calm music. We’re teenagers and we’ll start goofing around and stuff, but I would say everyone was locked in the whole time,” he said. “We were laying there for, I don’t know, an hour and a half. I have no idea. Everyone was locked in and everyone was ready to go.”

An Ellison snafu on special teams helped Lake Belton break through for the early lead. The Eagles lost 4 yards on their opening possession before they bounced a snap to their punter, who couldn’t get a handle on the skidding ball. Kesean Meeks finally grabbed the ball and tried to run for a first down, but several Broncos swarmed him at the Ellison 38 for a 17-yard loss and a turnover on downs.

On fourth-and-6 from the 34, Hudson ran a post pattern from the right side and beat his defender to catch Crews’ accurate pass at the 2 and move in for the touchdown. The first of senior Cole Jackson’s three extra points gave Lake Belton a 7-0 lead with 7 minutes gone.

It didn’t take Ellison long to respond. The Eagles began the ensuing possession at their 31, and the speedy Debrow caught Holland’s deep post pass behind the secondary and sprinted in for a 69-yard touchdown and a 7-7 game with 4:52 remaining in the opening period.

But true to Lake Belton’s resilient character, the Broncos’ defense wouldn’t allow another point until the game’s final few minutes.

Facing third-and-11 from the Lake Belton 19-yard line 4½ minutes into the second quarter, the Broncos turned to their best defensive player to provide an offensive spark. Texas Christian-committed safety Wilcox ran a post route from the right side, caught Crews’ pass in stride near midfield and used his speed to outrun the last defender for an 81-yard touchdown and a 14-7 Lake Belton lead 7:20 before halftime.

IN HOT PURSUIT: Lake Belton senior safety Javeon Wilcox (5) chases Killeen Ellison receiver Bobby Williams on a long second-quarter run in Friday night's District 4-5A Division I finale at Tiger Field. Wilcox eventually made a diving tackle to prevent a would-be 67-yard touchdown and limit Williams to a 33-yard gain, and the Eagles did not go on to score on that drive as the Broncos prevailed 24-13 to clinch the first playoff berth in program history. Wilcox, a Texas Christian commitment, made an 81-yard touchdown reception from Connor Crews right before his TD-saving tackle of Williams. (Photo by Dennis Knowlton/Special to TempleBeltonSports.com)

As good as that play was, the hard-hitting Wilcox – the Broncos’ leading tackler for the third consecutive season – made one on the next play from scrimmage that was equally impressive and important.

Fleet-footed Ellison receiver Bobby Williams ripped around the right edge for a long run on a jet sweep and appeared to be on his way to a 67-yard touchdown gallop, but the 6-foot, 185-pound Wilcox tracked him down, dived and grabbed just enough of Williams’ foot to trip him up and limit him to a 33-yard gain to the Broncos’ 34.

Had Ellison gone on to score on that drive, Wilcox’s lunging tackle might have been a mere footnote in the game. It became vital, though, because Lake Belton’s defense stopped King’s fourth-and-1 run just short at the 25 for a momentum-changing turnover on downs.

Wilcox’s sprawling takedown of Williams didn’t surprise Crews, who commended the player nicknamed “Boom” for playing through an illness in the Broncos' must-win finale.

“He’s a dude. It’s crazy. He was sick yesterday and sick today, and he still came out here and balled out,” Crews said. “That just shows that everyone’s bought in. You have the guys who aren’t known and you have the stars who are known, and everyone is committed to our whole program. That’s what really shows, and Coach Cope has done a great job of building us and just letting us build the legacy of Lake Belton Bronco football.”

Cope has watched Wilcox make big plays like that not only during Lake Belton’s first three seasons but also going back to 2019, when Cope was Belton’s offensive coordinator and Wilcox was a freshman for the Tigers.

“Man, he’s done everything that we’ve asked and I’ve been so, so proud of that young man,” Cope said about Wilcox, who entered the Ellison game with 100 tackles and three interceptions plus five touchdown receptions. “He’s the most intelligent defensive player I’ve ever had the opportunity to be around.”

SKY-HIGH TALENT: Lake Belton junior receiver Micah Hudson (1) makes a jumping catch against a Killeen Ellison defender during the Broncos' 24-13 victory over the Eagles in Friday night's District 4-5A Division I finale at Tiger Field. Hudson, a five-star national recruit, made 10 receptions for 132 yards from senior Connor Crews, highlighted by a 34-yard touchdown 7 minutes into the first quarter. Hudson finished the regular season with 63 catches for 1,170 yards and 14 TDs for the playoff-bound Broncos (8-2, 6-2). (Photo by Dennis Knowlton/Special to TempleBeltonSports.com)

Lake Belton kept the momentum on its side after its defense forced the turnover on downs. A third-and-14 tunnel screen pass from Crews to Hudson produced a 28-yard gain to the Ellison 27, then Crews’ 24-yard strike to Legg across the middle pushed the Broncos to the 5.

A holding penalty pushed them back 10 yards, but the versatile Legg – also a key starter on defense – separated from his defender and made a full-extension dive to catch Crews’ pass in the back-left portion of the end zone for a 15-yard touchdown that expanded Lake Belton’s lead to 21-7 with 1:14 remaining until halftime.

After Crews passed for 224 yards and three TDs in the first half, the potent Broncos uncharacteristically didn’t score a touchdown in the second half as Ellison’s sturdy defense did its best to keep the Eagles’ playoff hopes alive.

But with the disciplined way in which Lake Belton’s Randy Hooton-coordinated defense was playing, the Broncos didn’t really need to put up many additional points.

Lake Belton made a bid to increase its lead on its first possession of the third quarter. Senioir D’Arius Wilkerson’s 18-yard rush and Crews’ 17-yard pass to Cash Robin moved the Broncos to the Ellison 35, but Crews threw a deep pass for Hudson into double coverage near the right sideline and King cut in front of Hudson to intercept it and quell the threat.

“That play’s designed to go to Mike, so I’m going to throw it up even if it’s into double coverage. He’s a dude,” said Crews, whose offense came in averaging 436 yards per game. “But our defense had some great stops and that definitely motivated us on offense to keep going even if we were struggling – just to keep pushing on the gas.”

Ellison then marched from its 16 to the Lake Belton 46, but on fourth-and-1 the Eagles ran a toss play for running back Daryl Cannie and Broncos junior linebacker John Cole penetrated the backfield to tackle him for a 2-yard loss and a key turnover on downs.

Lake Belton then embarked on a time-consuming drive, mixing runs and high-percentage passes to Hudson to reach the 7 before sophomore Tommy Stephens kicked a 25-yard field goal for a commanding 24-7 lead with 25 seconds left in the third period.

After Ellison opted to punt on fourth-and-6 from its 44 on the second play of the fourth, the Broncos drained nearly 5 minutes off the clock before punting back tio the Eagles with 7 minutes remaining.

A series of crisp Holland passes to Jordan Jews, Tay’Veon Johnson and Williams drove Ellison to the 2 before Watson rushed through the middle for a touchdown. The extra point fell short, leaving Lake Belton’s advantage at 24-13 with 3:24 left.

After three consecutive rushes by senior running back Tristan Robin produced the clinching first down, the Broncos finally were able to celebrate the historic playoff berth as their fans cheered loudly from the stands.

Lake Belton had to wait until Week 11 of its third season and 20 minutes before midnight to see its long-range goal come to fruition, but that seemed to make the accomplishment even sweeter for the postseason-bound Broncos.

“I think everyone’s just ecstatic. The guys who have been playing football since they were extremely little, I saw them screaming and being as happy as they can get,” Crews said. “That’s what makes me happy, that everyone’s bought in. It’s awesome.”

A challenging first-round matchup at Burleson Centennial awaits Lake Belton next Friday night. Bring it on, say the upstart Broncos.

Said Cope: “It is. We’re in and looking forward to it."

#LakeBelton #LakeBeltonBroncos #LakeBeltonFootball #LakeBeltonHighSchool #ConnorCrews #JaveonWilcox #MicahHudson #TyLegg #JohnCole #BrianCope #KilleenEllison #SidneyHolland #KhamaniDebrow #BobbyWilliams #DannyServance #TXHSFB #Football2022 #TempleBeltonSports

FUN FINALE: Harrison-Pilot ignites offense as Temple rips Cove 69-7; Waxahachie playoff rematch next

CAN'T CATCH HIM: Temple senior Mikal Harrison-Pilot pulls away from a diving Copperas Cove defender on a 21-yard touchdown run during the first quarter of the Wildcats' 69-7 win over the Bulldawgs on Thursday night at Wildcat Stadium. Harrison-Pilot also caught touchdown passes of 18 and 75 yards from junior Reese Rumfield and threw a 45-yard TD pass to sophomore Christian Tutson as Temple (7-3) finished 5-1 in District 12-6A, a game behind Harker Heights. The Wildcats will host familiar opponent Waxahachie (8-2) in a Class 6A Division I bi-district playoff game at 7:30 p.m. next Friday 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 readily admit that they’ve had a bad taste in their collective mouth ever since their frustrating 13-9 loss at Harker Heights two weeks ago in the showdown that essentially decided the District 12-6A football championship.

Temple didn’t get to play another game until Thursday night’s moved-up district finale against Copperas Cove, but what the Wildcats did against the last-place Bulldawgs definitely put that sweet, all-important taste of victory back in their mouth as they move on to the playoffs.

Mikal Harrison-Pilot caught two touchdown passes from Reese Rumfield, threw a scoring bomb to Christian Tutson and ran for a TD to highlight a huge offensive explosion, and Temple’s smothering defense controlled Cove throughout as the Wildcats romped to a complete 69-7 win at breezy Wildcat Stadium.

Harrison-Pilot, Tutson, Deshaun Brundage and Rymond Johnson all scored multiple touchdowns as runner-up Temple (7-3) finished 5-1 in 12-6A, one game behind a champion Harker Heights team (9-1, 6-0) that snapped the Wildcats’ 19-game district winning streak that dated to 2019.

Temple rushed for 338 yards and six touchdowns on 40 carries and passed for 275 yards and four TDs on 14-of-21 accuracy with no interceptions to compile a staggering 618 total yards against Cove's overmatched defense. Meanwhile, the Bulldawgs mustered only 8 rushing yards and 117 total yards against the Wildcat defense.

Rumfield’s three touchdown passes totaled 146 yards and Temple scored TDs on 10 of its first 14 possessions as the Wildcats jumped back on the proverbial horse, building positive momentum for another home showdown with familiar postseason foe Waxahachie (8-2) in a Class 6A Division I bi-district playoff game at 7:30 p.m. next Friday at Wildcat Stadium.

“I just think we needed it. I know personally I had a bad taste in my mouth. I probably smiled only like seven times since (the loss at Heights),” said Temple senior linebacker and running back Taurean York, who recovered a muffed punt by Cove and added 27 rushing yards in his final regular-season game. “It was a tough pill to swallow that we weren’t outright district champions, but the cards play out like God wants them to, so I can’t complain. We’re on God’s time and His plan wasn’t for us to win the district championship, so that’s fine.

“We had to come out here and play like this to get our momentum back and feeling like the Temple Wildcats. I honestly felt like we had lost all our swagger throughout last week and this week, but we came out tonight and played with swag and intensity and played Wildcat football.”

Two weeks ago at Killeen’s Leo Buckley Stadium, Temple led Harker Heights 9-0 at halftime but then got outscored 13-0 in the second half and allowed the Knights to possess the ball for the final 8½ minutes as they earned a breakthrough win over the nemesis Wildcats.

After Temple worked to correct its deficiencies during the open week on its schedule, it was a completely different story for the Wildcats against struggling Cove (2-8), which finished 0-6 in 12-6A under first-year head coach Tony Johnson and fell to 7-33 in the last four seasons.

“We only put up nine points (against Heights), and that’s not us. We know that and everyone knows that. We were like, ‘This week’s the week.’ This was the week to practice and show everybody that we can score a lot of points when we want to,” said Harrison-Pilot, the versatile senior and four-year starter who rushed for a 21-yard touchdown, caught TD passes of 18 and 75 yards from junior Rumfield and fired a 45-yard scoring pass to sophomore Tutson.

Other than Joshua Butler’s 64-yard catch-and-run touchdown from Blaine Butler 3½ minutes into the second quarter, Copperas Cove’s ineffective offense never advanced past Temple’s 35-yard line against a sturdy Wildcats defense that played without starting senior ends Jaylon Jackson and Kevin Stockton because of injuries.

One year after Temple overwhelmed Cove 77-12 on Bob McQueen Field, the Wildcats produced a similarly dominant all-around performance against the Bulldawgs to give head coach Scott Stewart a good feeling as postseason competition looms.

“That’s what you need to see, and it finally showed tonight,” said Stewart, who’s guided Temple to the playoffs in all seven seasons as head coach. “When you play a team like Waxahachie, you’ve got to be hitting on all cylinders. You can’t turn that light switch on in a week. So whatever happens next week happens next week, but you’ve got to build momentum going into that and we talked all week long.

“We talked about our process, and our process is not a light switch. I’ve very proud of the effort and attitude these kids showed tonight. It got a little chippy at the end and we kept our heads. That’s a sign of maturity.”

Asked why he seemed animated in the postgame speech to his team, Stewart said he was adamantly reminding the Wildcats to wake up and get to school on time Friday morning after their first Thursday game this season. On Tuesday, Temple and Cove moved their regular-season finale up one day to avoid potential inclement weather Friday.

“That they’re going to get their butt in class tomorrow morning,” Stewart said about his postgame message. “I said, ‘Congratulations. You handled business tonight, and that’s what good football teams do when you’re getting ready for the playoffs. But guess what else they do? They do things right, and when you do things right, good things happen. And tomorrow morning we’ve got to set an alarm clock and not hit the snooze button. We’ve got to get our butt up and go to class, because that’s the right thing to do.’

“I had to remind myself that tomorrow is Friday. When I get locked in, I get locked in. All day today it’s (seemed like) Friday. I had to remind myself it was Thursday.”

BETWEEN THE TACKLES: Temple senior running back Deshaun Brundage fights through Copperas Cove defender Jalien Thomas to score a 7-yard touchdown during the second quarter of the Wildcats' 69-7 win on Thursday night at Wildcat Stadium. First-year starter Brundage added a 1-yard TD run 31 seconds before halftime and finished with 115 yards on 12 carries as he exceeded the 1,000-yard rushing milestone this season for the playoff-bound Wildcats. (Photo by Mike Lefner, Temple ISD/Special to TempleBeltonSports.com)

Several Temple players achieved season milestones in the regular-season finale. Senior and first-year starter Brundage surged past 1,000 rushing yards with a 12-carry, 115-yard performance, Rumfield (13-of-19, 235 yards) surpassed 2,000 passing yards after throwing for 1,831 as a sophomore, and Tutson (three receptions, 99 yards) reached 10 total touchdowns.

Harrison-Pilot made four catches for 105 yards, gained 54 yards on four rushes and scored three touchdowns to push his career total to 34 TDs for Temple, which needs one more victory to join Dallas Highland Park, Amarillo and Mart as the only Texas high school football programs with 800 all-time wins.

Temple’s defense began the game with a three-and-out series, then the Wildcats used Harrison-Pilot’s 33-yard scamper on a reverse play to drive from their 44-yard line to Cove’s 8. The march stalled and Mateo Lopez made a 25-yard field goal, but Stewart chose to take those points off the scoreboard after an offside penalty on the Bulldawgs. On fourth-and-3 from the 4, York took a shotgun snap and Cove tackled him at the 2 for an early turnover on downs.

However, that still proved to be a beneficial situation for Temple. The Bulldawgs were pinned deep in their territory and lost a yard before Demetrius Pearce’s punt went only 20 yards to the 21. Harrison-Pilot then stepped in at quarterback, dashed off left tackle and sprinted untouched for a 21-yard touchdown midway through the first quarter, and the first of Lopez’s nine extra points gave the Wildcats a 7-0 advantage.

Temple’s defense quickly stuffed Cove’s next possession. From the Wildcat 47, Tutson got completely open behind the secondary and easily caught Rumfield’s long pass for a 53-yard touchdown and a 14-0 lead. It was the first TD since Sept. 23 for the fleet-footed Tutson, who scored eight total TDs in his first five varsity games before missing time with a collarbone injury.

After Temple forced Cove’s disjointed offense into another three-and-out, Brundage blasted for consecutive rushes of 14 and 22 yards to advance to the 18. On third-and-10, a jumping Harrison-Pilot deftly caught Rumfield’s well-placed fade pass in the back-right portion of the end zone for a touchdown and a commanding 21-0 lead with one minute remaining in the first quarter.

INVADING THE BACKFIELD: Temple senior linebacker Teryon Williams-Echols sacks Copperas Cove quarterback Blaine Butler for an 11-yard loss to the 5-yard line during the second quarter of the Wildcats' 69-7 win over the Bulldawgs on Thursday night at Wildcat Stadium. Temple senior tackle Ka'Morion Carter also pursues on the play. Other than Butler's 64-yard touchdown pass to Joshua Butler in the second period, Cove never advanced past the Wildcats' 35-yard line. (Photo by Mike Lefner, Temple ISD/Special to TempleBeltonSports.com)

Temple senior linebacker Teryon Williams-Echols stopped Cove’s ensuing possession by darting in to sack Blaine Butler for an 11-yard loss to the 5.

Harrison-Pilot went back in at QB and, going into a strong wind that cut diagonally across the field all night, fired a long-range pass that hit Tutson in stride near the goal line for a 45-yard touchdown strike that made it 28-0 with 2½ minutes gone in the second period.

Cove’s offense responded with its biggest highlight of the evening. From the Bulldawgs 36, Joshua Butler caught Blaine Butler’s pass near the right sideline, broke a tackle and raced in for the 64-yard touchdown to make it 28-7. That turned out to be the only touchdown that Cove – which lost 55-0 to Harker Heights last week – scored in its final two games.

Temple’s first punt didn’t come until its sixth possession, and it still had a favorable outcome. Cove’s return man lunged to field Lopez’s punt but mishandled it, and two-time 12-6A Defensive MVP York was right there to recover the ball in a scrum at the Bulldawgs’ 21.

York’s cousin Brundage rushed off right tackle for 16 yards, then lost 2 yards before he kept churning through defenders and stretched the ball out across the goal line for a 7-yard touchdown and a 35-7 game 6 minutes before halftime.

Consecutive runs of 15 and 9 yards by senior Steve Jackson (four carries, 38 yards) helped Temple reach the 12 with a minute left in the half, then senior right tackle Jeremiah Mungia caught a Rumfield lateral on the right side and rumbled for 11 yards before being pushed out near the pylon. Brundage did the rest as he followed his linemen for a 1-yard touchdown rush with 31 seconds left to produce a 42-7 halftime advantage for Temple, which led Cove 56-0 at the half a year ago en route to a 65-point win.

After scoring three touchdowns against Cove last season, Harrison-Pilot delivered one more highlight-reel play against the Bulldawgs to begin the second half. The uncommitted four-star national recruit caught Rumfield’s deep pass on a post route around the Cove 30, used his strength to push away the closest defender and cruised in for the 75-yard touchdown that made it 48-7 and essentially sealed the outcome.

With so many plays to choose from, Harrison-Pilot was asked which one against Cove was his favorite. He was able to narrow the list down to two.

“The one where I caught the post (for the 75-yard TD) and the one where I threw the post (to Tutson),” a smiling Harrison-Pilot said. “I told them, ‘I want to throw a touchdown today.’ I was like, ‘I scored two already. Let me throw one.’ I wanted to throw one to Christian Tutson, who can outrun anybody in the state.”

WIDE-OPEN SPACES: Temple sophomore receiver Christian Tutson catches a 53-yard touchdown pass from junior Reese Rumfield during the first quarter of the Wildcats' 69-7 win against Copperas Cove in Thursday night's District 12-6A finale at Wildcat Stadium. Tutson (three receptions, 99 yards) caught a second-quarter pass from senior Mikal Harrison-Pilot for a 45-yard score, giving Tutson 10 total TDs this season. (Photo by Mike Lefner, Temple ISD/Special to TempleBeltonSports.com)

Stewart praised not only the many on-field accomplishments but also the leadership and overall impact of Harrison-Pilot and his friend and fellow four-year starter York.

“Mikal’s a special talent and I’ll throw Taurean York in there with him. Both of those kids, what they’ve done in their career at Temple High School and this football program and in this city and community, you can’t measure it,” Stewart said. “And it goes way beyond catching balls and tackling people. It’s their leadership. They’re in our leadership council and I go to them first. They’re going to be successful in whatever they do and I can’t thank them and their families enough. I’ll get emotional talking about those guys. They’re good people.”

Even when Temple made a rare mistake, it did something positive to make up for it. After Brundage lost a fumble on his 8-yard run near midfield 3 minutes into the second half, senior safety Josh Donoso made a leaping interception of Blaine Butler’s deep pass at the Wildcats 20. Jeremiah Lennon’s 21-yard reception from Rumfield and Brundage’s 24-yard gain on a screen pass set up junior running back Jervonnie Williams (five carries, 56 yards), who blasted off left tackle and used stellar blocking to scoot in for a 24-yard touchdown and a 55-7 lead midway through the third.

Cove’s ensuing possession was another three-out by Temple’s defense, which had sophomore safety O’Ryan Peoples back in the lineup after he missed four district games with a shoulder injury and started sophomore reserve running back Adrian Scott at end out of need.

The Baylor-committed York said the Wildcat defense approach the Cove game with an intent to dominate.

“That was the plan this morning and in the walkthrough today. I was like, ‘They don’t score. This is us. This is what we do. They’re not going to score on us,’” York said. “I’m really just bummed out that they scored. But to score 69 points and hold them to seven, that’s what Temple Wildcat football needs to be.”

Brundage’s 31-yard gallop helped move Temple to the 8 before junior reserve Johnson (66 yards on seven carries) took a shotgun snap and ran off left tackle for a touchdown and a 62-7 game.

After Temple’s defense stopped the next two Cove possessions, the slithery Johnson took advantage of another opportunity midway through the fourth. He broke a tackle at the line of scrimmage and dashed for a 26-yard touchdown to complete a relentless scoring outburst by the Wildcats, whose backups got plentiful playing time in the second half.

“We haven’t really put four quarters together, but tonight in the fourth quarter we had our 2s and 3s in and they were still scoring,” Harrison-Pilot said. “That’s what Coach Stewart said: ‘No matter who’s in there, we’re going to go score on every drive.’ That’s what we did, so I’m proud of my guys.”

PROGRESS STOPPED: Temple senior linebacker Taurean York (5) tackles Copperas Cove running back Markis Nash during the Wildcats' 69-7 victory against the Bulldawgs on Thursday night at Wildcat Stadium. Cove rushed for only 8 yards and had 117 yards overall. The Baylor-committed York, who recovered a fumble on a muffed punt, finished with a 26-2 District 12-6A record along with fellow four-year varsity starter Mikal Harrison-Pilot. (Photo by Mike Lefner, Temple ISD/Special to TempleBeltonSports.com)

Temple’s next step is a situation it’s become very accustomed to: hosting Waxahachie in a first-round playoff game. The Wildcats beat the Indians 38-0 in a 6A Division II bi-district duel in 2020 at Wildcat Stadium, then in the 6A D-II rematch one year ago Temple emerged from a hard-hitting, tightly contested battle with a 28-14 victory. For the Wildcats, both of those seasons ended with area-round defeats against high-scoring Rockwall-Heath.

Waxahachie has had a strong second year with head coach Shane Tolleson, beginning the regular season with four straight wins and ending it with another four-game winning streak – it beat winless Dallas Skyline 49-21 on Thursday – while outscoring its opponents 373-196.

The Indians’ only two losses came in back-to-back road games against perennial state heavyweights DeSoto (42-24) and Duncanville (24-7) in top-heavy 11-6A. Waxahachie had a 7-0 halftime lead against third-ranked Duncanville (9-0) before the Panthers scored 24 unanswered points in the second half.

After Harker Heights’ 49-14 home win over Bryan on Thursday officially ended Temple’s three-year championship reign in 12-6A, the Wildcats now shift their entire focus toward advancing past a physical, athletic Waxahachie team for the third consecutive season.

“I haven’t looked at one play of them, but I know Shane Tolleson and I know he does a phenomenal job. He’s a dear friend of mine and we’ve shared ideas for a long time,” Stewart said. “They had Duncanville tied 7-7 in the fourth quarter, so they’re going to be as good as anybody we play in the playoffs. They’re well-coached, they play hard and I have all the respect in the world for those guys. I probably wish we could play somebody else, but I don’t get to decide that.”

Harrison-Pilot said Temple will be prepared for another stern challenge against a steadily improving Waxahachie crew.

“They’re physical. They play in that top district with Duncanville and DeSoto and all those cats up there, so it’s going to be a physical game,” said Harrison-Pilot, who along with York helped Temple go 26-2 in district play in their four seasons. “It’s here and we get home-field advantage, but every year they always get better and better. We’re going to get their best and hopefully we come out with the W next week.”

Going into what’s almost certainly the final game at Wildcat Stadium for himself and Harrison-Pilot, York said it’s paramount for Temple to summon its best performance against a motivated Waxahachie team.

“Honestly, it’s do or die. Everybody knows what we’re fighting for. The Heights game, even though this team is young, we were locked in. We just didn’t finish. But that’s an experience we can use in this game (against Waxahachie), because I can promise you next week is not going to be a 69-7 win,” York said. “I see it playing out like the Heights game, because they have a great defense and we have a great defense. We’re going to buckle down and tweak some things.

“We have to understand that it’s do or die, and the seniors have to put it all on the line and put in work this (coming) week. We’re on God’s time and His time for us very well could be next Friday night at 7:30. I genuinely hope we can get this done and advance to the second round.”

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