Dawson soars past Clear Creek 55-0 in season finale

Nov. 9, 2007 — Week 10

The Dawson Eagles closed out their first football season with a 55-0 win over a hapless Clear Creek JV team. The lopsided victory gave head coach Eric Wells and his Junior Varsity football squad a sparkling 9-1 mark in their first year of existence.

The Eagles will move to the next level next season at the varsity level and will find out which district they will be in when the University Interscholastic League (UIL) announces the two-year realignment in February of 2008.

Dawson came out strong at the start of the game against Clear Creek JV and totally dominated both sides of the ball and on special teams.

On the third play of the game, Michael Asonye picked off a tipped pass and returned it 36 yards for the first Dawson touchdown with 10:39 left in the first quarter. Stuart Watkins added the extra point for a quick 7-0 lead.

The Dawson defense forced Clear Creek to punt on their next possession after two plays netted minus-12 yards.

Taking possession at their own 43, Dawson used six-plays to drive 57 yards capped off by a three-yard run by Akeem Blackshire with 6:49 left in the first period making the score 14-0.

Clear Creek continued to struggle on offense and was forced punt again.

This time, it took Dawson only one play to find the pay station as quarterback Darian Lazard hit Piaget Gauthier on a 42-yard scoring toss with 5:00 remaining in the first stanza to make the score 21-0.

The Wildcats finally picked up a first down, but were forced to punt again which led to a series of errors by Clear Creek which allowed the Eagles to score on three straight possessions.

Dawson began their next scoring drive on their 32 and eight plays later found the end zone on a three-yard run by Xavier Brown for a 28-0 lead.

The Eagles recovered a fumble by the Wildcats on the ensuing kickoff at the Creek 44.

Blackshire ran through the Creek defense on the first play for the 44-yard touchdown to make the score 34-0 as the extra point was muffed.

Clear Creek fumbled the kickoff and Dawson immediately got the ball back at the 'Cats 40. It took only four plays for the Eagles to soar into the end zone as Lazard scored on a five-yard run. The two key plays was a 20-yard dash by Brown and a Lazard to Blackshire screen pass that netted 20 yards. The Eagles increased their lead to 41-0 with 9:22 still left in the second quarter.

The Wildcats tossed an interception on second play of the next possession that was picked off by Caleb Williams at the 'Cats 16.

Nate Jones scampered in for the score on the first play with 8:17 left in the second period for a 48-0 lead.

Coach Wells pulled the plug to stop the scoring for the rest of the first half.

Dawson opened up the second half with a 50-yard scoring burst by Blackshire with 4:59 left in the third quarter to make the score 55-0. The coaches agreed to have a running clock that would not stop with a penalty or incomplete pass and the game finally came to an end.

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From the cluttered desk . . . by Dr. David Davis

The Guys in the Trenches

October 31, 2007 — Week 9

It is a thankless job, but someone has to do it. Very rarely do they get their names in the paper - much less score a touchdown. But the success of a football team couldn't happen without these guys. They can't take a break for even one play -- for if they do -- it will be noticed by even those who don't know that much about football.

But every game -- they strap on their pads and helmet -- break from the huddle and go nose-to-nose with some of the biggest players on the high school level.

Of course - everyone wants to know who the quarterback is going to be from season to season. The highlight reels are made for the swift ball carriers who know how to dance around a defensive player or spin in mid-stride while the defender is grasping at air that ultimately brings out the crowd screaming, "Did you see that?"

Or it is the signal-caller who can throw scud missles just short of the sound barrier. A rocket arm that zeros in on the target as if there is a built in GPS in the ball that hits the receiver in stride or puts the ball in just the right place where only the receiver can catch the ball. Or - perhaps it is the ones who have the ability to catch those missles no matter where they are thrown while using their skill with the movement of a ballerina twirling in mid-air to the music of the band.

The Pearland Oilers and the Friendswood Mustangs have established themselves as one of the area's top teams -- both have their star quarterbacks, running backs, and wide receivers. But it is the young men in the trenches that have made the difference.

For Pearland -- it is Texas A&M pledge Brian Thomas who stepped up to anchor a young offensive line this season at center. He is surrounded by some warriors who have battled every week to open holes and protect the quarterback. The guys upfront include Jack Andrews, Gabriel Briones, David Maciel, Ian Musselwhite, Bret Heitzman, Bobby Orisakwe, Claude Francis, Ian Gray, Travis Zimmerman, Chase Campbell, Aleander Freas, Ramon Gutierrez, Junsalvador Tibubos, Landon Westbrook, and Kevin Davis.

For Friendswood - there is UH pledge Blake Sargent, UH pledge Cameron Kaufhold, Princeton pledge Luke Landers, Chris Thompson, Michael Sanders, Greg Yuchnewicz, Nick Bauer, Andrew Makransky, Andrew McMahon, Tim Trimble, Marshall Childress, Greg Hodge, and Michael Headberg.

While a young quarterback and some outstanding ball carriers and receivers have emerged to the forefront...the Dawson Eagles also have some committed and hardworking young men who are paving the way for greatness.

They include - left tackle Derrick Axtell, left guard Jarret Hill, center Kameron Decoteau, right guard Chris Stansbury, right tackle Aaron Davis, tight end Max Brown, right guard Nicholas Chapa, and center/guard Tyler Freeze.

So - when you are at the game and you are cheering for a great pass, run, or catch -- just remember those who battled to protect the quarterback or opened the holes for the running backs. They are usually the ones on the ground and with the dirtiest uniforms.

They are a fraternity of hard-working, hard-charging brethren called linemen. The guys in the trenches. The blue collar players -- called for one purpose and that is to win the war in the trenches. And all of the above are doing a terrific job this season.

E-mail: drdd@swbell.net

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