Game Report for October 19, 2007
Tom Bean-23; Howe-0
Cats Make it Two on the
Bounce with a Shut-out Against
Howe
After a dazzling display of football last week saw the Tomcats pick up their first win in half a year, some second half heroics clinched another win over local rivals Howe Bulldogs last Friday. This gave the Cats their second win in a row and provided for another massive boost in morale for Coach Sanders’ squad. It was a fairly entertaining game which gave the fans a bigger reason to take pride in Tomcat football. Not only does the result continue to pull Tom Bean out of its year-long slump, it also shows that last week’s victory was not a homecoming fluke.
A cool, clear night greeted the teams as they came out to their respected fight songs. The Tomcat defense was sent into the action first, and you could not have asked for a better start. The momentum shifted the Cats’ way right from the start after Howe quarter back, and key player, Branden Crabb was sent to the sidelines with what was eventually reported as a torn ACL. This came into an immediate affect as Howe was forced to punt. Colten Miller and the offense started on the 16 yard line, but they weren’t there for long. The unstoppable junior quarter back got things going right from the start with a big run for a first down. Miller had another one, as did Hodge; and the running game looked to be working brilliantly. Despite the great start, Tom Bean was forced to punt. However, the ‘dogs had to do the same thing, which gave the home team possession as the 1st quarter came to a close. It was scoreless at the break.
The second quarter did not start any better for the Cats, as they were again forced to punt. Then, goings got worse for Howe as their second quarter back picked up an injury. The ‘dogs had now gone through the same amount of quarter backs this game as Tom Bean has had to use this season. An eventual turnover on downs put Tom Bean in good field position, and the flood gates opened for the Cats’ running style offense. Something was certainly not right on the Howe defensive line, and Miller made sure to exploit it in every way possible. He finally ran in for a touch down after a series of runs right up the middle of the Bulldog defense. Highlander came out for the extra point, and the freshman phenom made the score 7-0 Tomcats with just over two minutes left. Not much else would happen, and that was the score heading into half time.
Tom Bean began the second half on offense, and they started from a good position after LaBonne returned the ball to their 45 yard line. Despite Miller continuing his stellar performance, the Cats were forced to punt. However, the relentless defensive pressure on Howe would finally pay off as junior lineman James Sanchez would force a fumble deep in Bulldog territory. The Cats would end up getting the ball on Howe’s 7, and were looking to increase the score. They would only manage a Highlander field goal, which was a nicely taken and made the score 10-0 with 4:51 left in the quarter. The Bulldogs just could not find a way past the Tom Bean defense, and the Cats ended the third quarter with possession. However, the Tomcats would need a strong finish with their lead of only 10 points.
They did just that. Colten Miller put his team in a great position with a first down run, and then senior Drew Hodge was let loose. He gave Tom Bean their second touch down of the game, and made the score 16-0 with 9:11 left after the extra point attempt just hit the post and bounced out. But that did nothing to slow down the momentum created by the Cats’ stylish play. After the ‘dogs thought they had escaped a 4th and 20 after a roughing the kicker penalty gave them an automatic first down, here came sophomore Dillon Lillibridge to grab his first varsity interception. Lillibridge had just been called up to the varsity team from JV, but surely that play has cemented his place amongst the big boys. Then came one of the biggest surprises of the night: sophomore Hunter Hendry made his first return to quarter back after a quick recovery from a groin injury suffered just 3 games ago. It didn’t take long for Hendry to get back to business. After leading a drive that put Tom Bean in scoring position, he took the honor of a touch down himself. Hendry’s run made the score 23-0 with 5:57 left. Despite having enough time to get anything out of the game, a tired and worn out Howe could not get the job done. The game ended 23-0. It was Tom Bean’s first shut out win since October 29, 2004 when they beat an uninspiring Leonard 67-0.
That makes it two wins in a row for Coach Sanders and the Tomcats, and they have a chance to make it three this Friday as they travel to underachieving S&S. Upon talking to Coach Sanders about the Cats’ recent run of good form, he stated that he felt the atmosphere in the locker room was changing. The boys are starting to come together as they gel with his new system. This just goes to show you that good team chemistry can go a long way towards improved play.
Another notable topic from Friday was the early return of quarter back Hunter Hendry. Now the Cats have two QBs to rely on, and Sanders said that this was a massive boost for a blossoming offense. Now, his team will always have rested legs available to provide an extra push when it is needed.
Now with two wins in the books, and possibly a third on the way, Tom Bean can start to look towards an ever improving future. One coach has even conceded that players are beginning to question the possibility of playoff football this season. This does not seem like such an impossible feat now that the Cats have a few wins, and now that fierce rivals Whitewright are performing at a sub-par standard. Pending other results, a Tom Bean win in the Highway 11 shootout might just be enough to put the Tomcats through. When Sanders was asked about this, he did admit that, should their current forms continue, he could certainly see an upset in the making. The people of Texoma would undoubtedly stand up and take notice should the Cats pull a fast one against their heated rivals. Despite all that, I think it is safe to say that the students of Tom Bean are again taking pride in their football team.