SOUTH LAKE CARROLL: — Scoring wasn’t going to be a problem in what was an offensive showcase, between the Denton Guyer Wildcats, and the Birdville Hawks. Guyer knocked off previously undefeated Birdville (13-1) by a final score of 52-42 in Saturday afternoon’s Class 4A Division I State Quarterfinals match-up at South Lake Carroll’s Dragon Stadium.
Both team’s combined for a total of a sky-rocketing 1,060 yards of total offense, as both team’s lit up the scoreboard in this one.
— Though this was the most points Denton Guyer had surrendered since a week two loss to power-house Colleyville Heritage, the Wildcats turned in a monster running-game.
Quarterback Jerrod Heard had 168 yards and running-back DJ Breedlove claimed his own 158 yards on the ground. The Wildcats will play Tyler John Tyler (13-1) on Friday at 7:30 P.M next Friday in Midlothian for the right of passage to play for the State Championship game.
Hawks senior quarterback, Justin Martin led the way for the Hawks in this one, connecting on 17-24 passes, and tossing for three touchdown passes in a tough game for Birdville, in which the opponent gave them all they could handle.
— For the Hawks, their concern in this game wasn’t so much the offense, rather the defense. Birdville knew they needed to stop a red-hot Denton Guyer Wildcat offense capable of doing as much damage as the Hawks themselves, but somethings, much like this are always easier said than done.
The Wildcats jumped out on the Hawks throughout this game, despite a valiant effort by the Hawks to stay within 10 points at least. Guyer struck first in this one, as they clawed out an 84 yard touchdown run on the fourth-play of the game was Guyer running-back DJ Breedlove.
The following score for the Cat’s came from an 11 yard touchdown run from quarterback Jerrod Heard.
Heard finished the game completing 11-15 of his passes for 156 yards, he ran it 13 times for 140 yards, and an overall total of 5 touchdown’s for the game. Birdville could only do themselves a favor in continuing to add to what was a scoring-smorgasbord, as in doing so, it kept giving them chances in the game. Especially in the fourth-quarter, when the Hawks outscored the Wildcats in that quarter alone, 21-14.
— Junior running-back Xavier Turner started things out for the Hawks in the final quarter, scoring on a 35 yard touchdown, but the Hawks, still trailing needed more scores, and were desperate for a stop.
— A stop however, wasn’t able to be executed.
Birdville did manage to score a 58 yard touchdown pass from wide-receiver Samuel Northey to senior teammate and receiver, Barrett Shaw adding some excitement and intrigue to the moment.
The Hawks did what any-team would have to do in this situation, with not much of a choice, Birdville went for the onside kick.
The Hawks recovered, but to their dismay, the officials made a crucial decision, going in favor of Denton Guyer, as the ball wasn’t marked ready for kickoff. Denton Guyer would score once more, on the ensuing possession, making it a 52-35 game, but the Hawks still believed.
Birdville fought their hearts out until their was 0:00 left on the game-clock.
The Hawks were able to get one last score only to bring themselves to within ten points.
Despite the loss, the Hawks had one season for the record-books, and or history books.
They believed, and not just the entire game, but the entire season, scoring their way to victory 13 times marking the longest playoff reign the Birdville Hawks football team have put together in school-history, and it was all due to the fact that they all believed.
Thomas Brunt is the sports-editor for Birdville High School’s student paper: “The Hawk” as well as inside sports-reporter for his high school. Follow his personal Twitter feed: @SPORTSDUDE350, or email him you’re mailbag questions that may just be featured in an eventual post: thesportsguy.brunt2@gmail.com
Carry The Cross 