Marlin ISD

Bulldogs Ride The "D" On Offense
And
Yoe Run Into A "Tank" On Defense
As
Marlin Wins District Title!

When you think about Tank Smith most of us think offense - rush for a 100 yards and score one or two touchdowns. But in this match up, Tank didn't score a touchdown but he sure did "score" on defense. With Marlin holding a 17-16 lead in overtime, the Yoe decided to go for two points to win the game. Cameron quarterback, Billy Pittman found Roderick Knight open at the five, Knight caught the ball but was hit by a TANK at the two and driven hard out of bounds and the Yoe came up short. Final score Marlin 17 and Cameron 16.

Regulation ended in a tie at 10 all. Marlin had first possession and wasted no time scoring as D'Nerian Wrighter (more on him later) busted thru the middle of the line from 12 yards out to score. Daniel Ronquillo added the point after to make it 17-10.

Then it was Cameron's turn. Facing a 4th at the Bulldog 15, Yoe quarterback Pittman found Knight in the left hand corner of the end zone who out leaped Bulldog defender Brandon Fisher for a touchdown. After a time out the Yoe opted to go for the two-point conversion and the win and the rest is history. The Bulldogs win the district title - their fourth in a row.

Now lets take a look back at how we got to the overtime period in the first place.

Folks this game was everything you would expect from two 4-0 teams who have a rivalry dating back to the 60's. Some of you might recall the last time these two teams met - it was in the quarterfinals 2000 - at Kyle Field. Another nail biter that was decided in - you guessed it - Overtime. Mo the Toe Smith came in to kick the extra point that sent the Bulldogs to the State Semi-Finals where they eventually lost to La Grange.

But back to this game. This one was defense and more defense as most offenses struggled to get anything going. Tank was held to 35 yards rushing while Pittman was only able to gain 29 yards rushing in the first half. At the half we were scoreless.

In the second half, a Bulldog fumble at their own 24-yard line set up Cameron's first score. Six plays later Yoe place-kicker, Steven Marquez hit a 32-yard field goal to give the Yoe a 3-0 lead with 8:07 to play in the third.

The Dogs would answer back. After recovery an on-side kick at the Yoe 48 yard line the Dogs began to move the ball. Tank for 15 yards, Tank for 17 yards and the Dogs are barking at the Yoe 16. A holding penalty on the Dogs put them back at the 25-yard line with 6:38 remaining in the quarter. Red Richardson got them to the 14 but the Dogs had to settle for a 31-yard field goal by Ronquillo to tie the game at 3.

Another miscue by the Dogs led to the first touchdown of the game. Bulldog quarterback, Thaddeus Freeman was moving the Dogs downfield on an apparent drive that would lead to a Bulldog touchdown. The Dogs were at the Yoe 36 facing a third and seven when Freeman went back to pass and was blind sided from the backside as the ball was knocked loose. Justin Tucker scooped up the ball and headed toward the end zone. Freeman caught up with him and dragged him down at the Bulldog five-yard line. The Dog defense held the Yoe until a 4th and goal from the two when Pittman danced into the end zone. Marquez added the point after to make it 10-3 Yoemen with six minutes left in the 3rd quarter.

It didn't take the Dogs long to respond. They set up their offense at their own 47 and taking only five plays they scored. This drive was the D'Nerian Wrighter Drive. "D" picked up nine yards, then seven yards and then "took it to the house" 41 yards - TOUCHDOWN! Ronquillo added the point after and we were once again tied at 10 all.

The fourth quarter turned out to be all defense as neither team got too much going.

So we headed to overtime! The Bulldogs would have first go at the end zone. Starting at the Yoe 25 the Dogs needed only five plays to score. Tank for two and then three more. Wrighter for six and a first down at the fourteen. Freeman for two and then - ONE MORE TIME - Wrighter To The House - 12 yards and TOUCHDOWN. Ronquillo is true on the point after and the Dogs were up 17-10. All we needed was a defensive stand.

Cameron's turn - First play was an incomplete pass. On second and ten Pittman ran for nine yards. Third and one, Pittman picks up two yards to the 14. First down Yoemen. Three straight incomplete passes as the pressure was put on Pittman by the defense. Facing a fourth and ten, Pittman puts one up to the left corner of the end zone where Roderick Knight out leaps Brandon Fisher for the ball and the Yoe score. Down one point the Yoe take a timeout. The Cameron team opts to go for the two-point conversion and the win. Once more, Pittman drops back and goes to the left flat - finds Tra Wilcox at the five and he looks to be going for the end zone for the win. But out of nowhere comes a "TANK" and BOOM - the "Hit of the game" Tank Smith lowers Wilcox at the two and the game is over folks. What a game - The Bulldogs win the District title for the fourth time in a row and now it's off to the playoffs!

The game summary shows Pittman of Cameron leading the Yoe ground attack with 71 yards on 25 carries and one touchdown. He also completed nine of 27 passes with no interceptions for 60 yards and a touchdown.

The Tank fueled the Bulldogs. Smith rushed for 115 yards on 21 carries. Wrighter added 75 yards and two touchdowns on only six carries.
Freeman was one of eight passing for three yards.

With the loss Cameron drops to 4-1 in district, 7-3 overall and finishes District play in second place. They will face McGregor in the playoffs in the first round.

Marlin improves to 5-0 in district play and 8-2 overall and as mentioned earlier - DISTRICT CHAMPS!

In spite of a close final score, the Dogs nearly doubled Cameron's offensive output. They rolled up a total of 253 yards on the ground on 44 carries. Cameron was limited to 78 yards on the ground on 35 carries and just 60 more yards through the air.

Leading the defense for the Dogs - John Sadler with 16 tackles.

So it's off to Bi-District now where the Dogs will take on the Eagles from Hillsboro. The game will be played on Saturday, November 16 at Wildcat Stadium in Temple. Game time is 7 PM. (For directions look elsewhere in the sports section).

See you at the game…

Marlin ISD
Created August 26, 1997 -- last revision September 2002
Please mail comments or suggestions to tsimpson@marlinisd.org

©1997 Marlin ISD
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