Photos taken by KJ Toso. For more photos or to purchase photos, please visit: http://kjtoso.photoshelter.com
GIRLS BASKETBALL: Burbank vs. Port Lavaca Calhoun at Floresville Tournament photo gallery, Nov. 20, 2014 (photos by KJ Toso)
Category: Week of Nov. 17-23, 2013
GIRLS BASKETBALL: Southwest vs. Marshall at Floresville Tournament photo gallery, Nov. 20, 2014 (photos by KJ Toso)
Photos taken by KJ Toso. For more photos or to purchase photos, please visit: http://kjtoso.photoshelter.com
BOYS BASKETBALL: Late 3-pointer gives South San first victory
NOTE: Photos from this game and the Harlandale-South San JV game from Nov. 22 at Harlandale available for purchase at: kjtoso.photoreflect.com
Harlandale can’t maintain eight-point halftime lead in first loss
A three-point shot from senior wing Eric Alcozer with about 2.5 seconds remaining enabled South San (1-2) to edge Harlandale 57-53 Friday at the Indians’ gym.
The Bobcats outscored their hosts 20-12 in the fourth quarter to claim their first victory of the season. South San outscored previously undefeated Harlandale by a 12-point margin in the second half. The Indians jumped to an 11-5 lead in the first quarter and led 27-19 at halftime.
“They hit some shots,” Harlandale coach Chris Adamek said, “and we struggled a little bit (shooting). They turned up the pressure a little more.”
The Indians’ early lead dissolved as the fouls mounted.
“We were kind of in control from the start,” Adamek said. “We had an 8-10 point lead. Then we ended up having foul trouble. We ended up with three guys fouling out.
“That had a little bit to do with it, but South San had more to do with it. They were shooting a little better and playing a little bit better defense (in the second half).”
Junior point guard Olando Lopez led South San with 18 points. Jesus Samarripas scored 12. The late basket gave Alcozer 10 points. David Valdez contributed nine points.
Senior George Rodriguez was the top Harlandale scorer with 15 points. Jesus Maltos scored 10. Armando Guerrero and Joshua Rodriguez each added nine.
“It was a good game,” Adamek said. “They have a good coach and they communicate well. Playing games like that, with a good crowd is a lot of fun.
“I wish South San was still in our district. When they were in the same district, we both were always near the top of the district standings.”
Post Ram Torres scored eight before fouling out. The Indians also lost their starting guards with five fouls apiece.
“We struggled to control our glass when Ram fouled out,” Adamek said.
The Indians incurred their first loss with a rotation that’s quickly gaining varsity experience. A day later, senior leader Brandon Ramon and a handful of others extended their football season by at least another week.
“We’re adjusting really well and getting our JV guys in,” Adamek said. “They got some great experience in a pressure cooker like that.
“I’m really excited about the way the season’s going. We have a lot of potential to get better. We’re good now, but they could improve more in the next two months.”
FOOTBALL: Houston-area school eliminates Holy Cross with late TD
Knights’ second-half comeback falls short in state quarterfinals
Three 100-yard rushers helped Katy Pope John XXIII (9-2) overcome four turnovers and defeat Holy Cross Saturday in a TAPPS Division II quarterfinal game.
Holy Cross, which finished its season with an 8-4 record, fought back to tie it 14-14 after falling behind by two touchdowns. However, the Lions produced a long kickoff return following the tying touchdown and manufactured a game-winning drive.
Pope John XXIII won 22-14 at Buffalo Stadium in Giddings.
Greg Moore, who recorded a game-high 160 rushing yards on 25 attempts, opened the scoring with a 12-yard run with 5:27 left in the first quarter. Lions quarterback Graham Secades (100 yards, 12 carries) ran for the two-point conversion, then provided his team’s second touchdown on a nine-yard run about four minutes into the second period.
The Knights scored on a 19-yard pass from Cisco Flores (12 of 22, 126 yards) to junior Steve Villela. Flores also ran 12 times for 87 yards.
With 3:39 remaining in the game, Greg Scott (88 yards, 17 carries) pounded up the middle for a four-yard touchdown that tied it 14-14. At the 31-second mark, Maore scored the backbreaker on a 10-yard sprint.
John Paul outgained Holy Cross 393-317 in total yards. Edd Williams ran for 128 of the Lions’ 392 rushing yards. John Paul only attempted three passes, but had an interception to go with three fumbles.
Holy Cross committed one turnover. Senior receiver Greg Kelly caught five passes for 77 yards in his final game for the Knights.
The loss ended a four-game winning streak for Holy Cross.
FOOTBALL: Harlandale erupts early, holds on late to beat RGC
Indians defense, Ramon keys to 23-point second quarter
Behind a courageous performance from senior quarterback Brandon Ramon, Harlandale advanced to the third round of the playoffs and second time in school history Saturday at the Laredo Student Activity Center.
The Indians (10-2) used a 23-point scoring flurry in the second quarter to down tenacious Rio Grande City (5-7) 33-28 in the area round.
Harlandale advances to face Leander Rouse (9-3) in the Region round. The game will take place 8 p.m. Friday at Bobcat Stadium on the Texas State University campus in San Marcos.
“It’s huge,” Harlandale coach Isaac Martinez said, referring to the magnitude of the achievement. “We’ll go back and celebrate with the fans of Harlandale. The school’s support, the team’s support and the community’s support has been tremendous. They’ve came out and watched us all year long, no matter where we’ve played.”
After a scoreless first quarter, Harlandale scored the game’s first 23 points in a span of three minutes, 24 seconds.
The stretch was initiated by Indians defensive back Ruben Zavala’s seventh interception of the season. The senior returned his latest pick about 60 yards to set up Harlandale’s first touchdown. Ramon, who completed 17 of 21 passes, threw six yards to Eddie Pedroza for a 7-0 lead.
The defense also paved the way for Harlandale’s next score. Senior defensive tackle Bryan O’Tani carried a fumble recovery about 20 yards to make it 14-0.
The Indians defense then hemmed the Rattlers deep in their own territory. A bad punt snap went out of the end zone and it was 16-0.
Following the ensuing free kick, Harlandale wasted no time in returning to the RGC end zone. Ramon passed 19 yards to Ian Martinez to make it 23-0 with 4:19 until halftime.
“We had some big catches, especially in the second quarter,” Martinez said. “We also executed in the running game. I thought we moved the ball pretty well.”
Ramon sustained a knee injury early in the game, but still took virtually all of Harlandale’s snaps. Unable to scramble, he threw three touchdown passes in a gutsy performance.
“Brandon Ramon is a leader,” Martinez said. “If he’s able to go, he will go. He showed that tonight. He had a little bump on his knee. I thought, maybe, he wouldn’t be able to play. But he said he wanted to go out and finish the job. He was able to move the ball and get us in the end zone.”
Rio Grande City scored its first touchdown late in the first half. The Rattlers also scored on their next three possessions.
A 27-yard reception from Nick Martinez and a 10-yard reception by Ian Martinez led to Harlandale’s final touchdown. James Mendoza caught the scoring pass from Ramon for a 33-21 lead late in the third quarter.
A fourth-and-five conversion led to a touchdown pass to the Rattlers’ Cesar Martinez near the end of the third quarter. Martinez also caught a 10-yard touchdown pass that put RGC within five with 5:58 to play.
“I’m proud of the victory,” Martinez said, “but we let them convert fourth downs three times in the second half. It’s a credit to RGC’s offense, but we’ve got to do a better job with that.”
With 2:21 to play, Zavala recovered a fumble. Coupled with a long run by backup running back John Aguirre and then a bizarre series of three consecutive penalties after the Rattlers had forced Harlandale into a third-and-11, it enabled the Indians to seal the win.
“John Aguirre made an extremely important play,” Martinez said. “We had a second-and-long, and he made one of the biggest plays of the day. It gave us the opportunity to run out the clock.”
FOOTBALL: Week 2 postseason previews
SATURDAY
CLASS 5A
Division I
Area round
Harlandale (9-2) vs. Rio Grande City (5-6) at Laredo Student Activity Center, 3 p.m.
The brackets have been kind to Harlandale. The Indians face a Rio Grande City team that thrilled its home crowd by burying Corpus Christi Ray with 22-consecutive points in the first quarter before Ray scored. The Rattlers still had to hold off a late comeback by the Texans to advance with a 48-40 win.
The Rattlers converted one of their receivers (Noe Gonzalez) to quarterback and unveiled him for the first time against Ray. The element of surprise is no longer available to RGC.
Five of Rio Grande City’s opponents have scored 50 or more points. That doesn’t bode well against an explosive Harlandale offense led by senior quarterback Brandon Ramon. Ramon has thrown for 2,411 yards with 24 touchdowns and just five interceptions.
As usual, the key for Harlandale is to move the chains with senior back Nick Martinez (1,084 rushing yards) to set up Ramon for mid-range and deep strikes to Ian Martinez (667 receiving yards) and Eddie Pedroza (572).
Pedroza had seven catches for 169 yards and three touchdowns last week, so he’ll be a target for the Rattlers’ secondary. Look for a big game from either Martinez or James Mendoza, who returned from an injury last week.
Harlandale had to hold off Gregory-Portland for a 37-35 bi-district championship eight days ago. The defense will need to be more solid against RGC’s spread offense after giving up 433 total yards last week.
quad that carries a five-game losing streak into the postseason.
The key to victory for the Indians may be shutting down the Rattlers running game behind back Jose Castelo. Regional round opponent: Winner plays Rouse (9-3).
TAPPS DIVISION II
Quarterfinals
Katy Pope John XXIII (8-2) vs. Holy Cross (8-3) at Giddings, 3 p.m.
Holy Cross would like nothing more to face Austin Hyde Park Baptist after getting a momentum surge from defeating the Panthers in Austin to close the regular season two weeks ago.
Getting past Pope John XXIII will not be an easy task, however.
The Lions defeated San Antonio Christian 40-34 in the first round. Holy Cross defeated those Lions (yes, both Pope John XXIII and San Antonio Christian have the same mascot) 22-14 on Sept. 27 — but the Knights are playing much better now.
Holy Cross dominated Houston Northland Christian in the first round, winning 55-28.
Holy Cross produced a whopping 626 total yards in defeating Northland Christian last Saturday. The defense allowed 456, which is a concern, but most of those came in the second half, after the outcome was decided.
Knights junior quarterback Cisco Flores had his best game to date with 457 yards of total offense, including 306 through the air with five touchdowns. He only threw one interception while completing 15 passes in 29 attempts, so it was a step forward in all areas.
Senior receiver-cornerback Greg Kelly played an excellent all-around game, which including 10 receptions for 205 yards and three touchdowns. He even carried the ball for six yards to keep a drive alive.
Junior back Greg Scott added 163 yards and three touchdowns on 24 carries. The balance he gives the Knights could be an advantage in this outing.
A stronger four-quarter effort from the defense, much like the one it produced against Hyde Park, will be welcome, if not necessary.
The Lions have a 1-2 punch in the backfield with Greg Moore (1,359 rushing yards) and Edd Williams (732), so they’ll to control the ball and then pop a big play. Of their 409 total yards, 348 came on the ground.
Pope John XXIII Quarterback Greyson Secades has thrown for 796 yards with 12 touchdowns and just three interceptions. Secades also is a running threat. He ran for a 66-yard touchdown against S.A. Christian.
San Antonio Christian scored two touchdowns in the last 3:34 against the Houston-area team last week, so the Lions are vulnerable in the two-minute drill. Semifinal opponent: Winner plays Austin Hyde Park Baptist (11-1).
BOYS BASKETBALL: South San-Harlandale photo gallery 11-23 (more photos/purchase photos: kjtoso.photoreflect.com)
MID-WEEK GIRLS BASKETBALL REPORT: Brackenridge soars to three quick victories at Jaguar Classic
Memorial comes back for OT win over Fox Tech at Cole
TEAMS INCLUDED: Brackenridge, Fox Tech, Harlandale, Highlands, Lanier, Memorial, Southwest, Southside.
Brackenridge got off to a strong start last Thursday and Friday in one of the area’s most prestigious girls basketball tournaments.
The Eagles (10-3) put themselves in the championship bracket of the Jaguar Classic with a 59-48 win over Medina Valley (1-4). Brackenridge also defeated Hays (4-3) 63-47 Thursday and recorded a 57-48 victory against MacArthur (7-4) Friday morning. The tournament continued through last Saturday.
Brackenridge outscored Hays 23-11 in the second quarter to separate itself from the Rebels.
Senior Breeann Hernandez scored 15 points to lead Brackenridge. Skyler Reyna added 12 points. Senior Brittney Morales supplied 11.
Against Medina Valley, Miranda Acuna scored a team-high 16 points for Brackenridge. Reyna and Hernandez combined for 25 points. Tevis Thomas added 11.
The Eagles outscored the Panthers 19-9 in the second quarter to take firm control of the game. Brackenridge led 28-21 at halftime.
In other first-day tournament games, Southwest defeated Lanier 55-38, Burbank edged Seguin 45-44, Marshall defeated Harlandale 55-45 and Laredo Alexander defeated Highlands 55-42.
Harlandale (5-5) opened Friday’s round with a 64-57 win over Medina Valley.
Cole Tournament
Memorial (2-2) and Southside (5-3) each won their opening games Thursday at the Cole Tournament.
Southside led 22-12 at halftime against Somerset (2-2) and maintained its margin when the Pirates pushed the pace in the second half. The Cardinals won 55-45.
Desiree Rodriguez led Southside with 24 points. Sabrina Guzman scored 14.
Memorial edged Fox Tech (2-6) 47-38 in overtime. The Buffaloes controlled the first half, leading 20-10 at intermission. The Minutemen began their comeback in the third quarter, gaining a 16-9 advantage over the next eight minutes. Memorial scored 12 of 15 points in overtime.
Senior Lucinda Mireles led a balanced Minuteman attack with 11 points. Larissa Lopez and Justine Davila each chipped in with 10.
Fox Tech senior Ashwini Bhakta finished with a team-high 14 points. Ruby Chapa and Elizabeth Narezo contributed eight points apiece.
MID-WEEK BOYS BASKETBALL REPORT: Buttons split first two games at NEISD Tourney
Southside drubs Cotulla at St. Anthony Tourney opener
TEAMS INCLUDED: Central Catholic, Highlands, Southside.
Tuesday morning, Central Catholic (2-4) did what opposing teams need to do against Highlands (3-4). The Buttons weathered the storm in the first pool play game for both teams at the Northeast ISD Invitational.
Central Catholic bolted to a 41-23 halftime lead. The Buttons won 66-48.
“Highlands put a lot of pressure on you,” Central Catholic coach Bruce McConaghy said, “and we handled that pressure well. (Our guards), they did a great job of handling the pressure. Matt Wetesnik also played well against the press.”
Junior center Tony Lewis led Central Catholic with 17 points. Senior guard P.J. Escobar scored 12. Chad Plummer added 10 an Wetesnik had nine.
The Buttons limited Highlands’ top scorer, sophomore wing Demarcus Hartfield, to 11 points. Jermichael Shirley added 10 for the Owls. Jamaria Moody chipped in with nine points and Joseph Jackson added eight.
Highlands did not play again Thursday. Its next game is 10:30 a.m. Friday against Fort Bend Clements.
Clements defeated Central Catholic 64-50 Thursday afternoon. The Buttons’ next opponent is to be determined.
Against Clements, Central Catholic established a 13-9 lead in the opening quarter. The Rangers produced 23 points in the second period. They took a 22-21 lead on a pair of free throws from Matt Rando with 3:56 until halftime.
Lewis (9 points) answered with a nifty move inside, but Clements scored the next seven points and never relinquished the lead.
Escobar (12 points) drove for a layup and Lewis added a half-hook off a steal by Joseph Nava, who recently re-joined the team after playing quarterback for the Buttons during the fall. Central Catholic was within 30-26 with 1:23 remaining in the second quarter.
Although the Rangers notched another basket before halftime, the Buttons wouldn’t score again for six minutes and 16 seconds. When the figurative lid was lifted from their basket, as Nava drove for a layup, Clements held a 38-28 lead.
“I think they scored six in that time,” McConaghy said. “During that time, we still played good defense. After we came out for the second half, we had that drought. We just couldn’t score.”
Stuart Lynch made three of four free throws to keep Central Catholic within striking range at 40-31 as the third quarter ended. The Buttons scored just five points in the quarter.
Central Catholic was within 43-36 on a driving layup by Escobar with 6:04 left. That prompted Clements to call timeout, and emerge with a full-court pressure defense. Although the final score was the Rangers’ biggest lead, the Buttons were never closer than seven points in the fourth quarter – despite seven of eight foul shooting and three-pointers from senior guard Chris Paz and Plummer.
St. Anthony Tournament
Southside/Fox Tech
The Cardinals (3-3) outscored Cotulla () 23-11 in the second quarter Thursday at the St. Anthony Tournament. The outburst built a 47-27 halftime lead.
Southside maintained control by outscoring the Cowboys 13-7 in the fourth quarter.
Eluid Mendez led Southside with 21 points. Alex Rangel scored 15. Rogelio Diaz contributed 12 points.
In Southside’s second game Thursday, the Cardinals vanquished Fox Tech (0-5) 81-43. Southside built a 48-19 halftime.
Fox Tech was led by Ruben Hernandez with 11 points, including three 3-point baskets. Daniel Castillo and Santos Vargas (4 blocked shots) each scored 10. Alex Lopez added eight points and three blocked shots for the Buffaloes. Nick Buys recorded a team-high four assists.
Southside statistics for the Fox Tech game were unavailable.
MORE TO COME
GIRLS BASKETBALL: Young Highlands wins while learning to play together
Brack wins three of four in SAISD Tourney
Photos taken by KJ Toso. For more photos (including the Highlands-Brennan JV game) or to purchase photos, please visit: kjtoso.photoreflect.com
Highlands has had some growing pains, but its sophomore-dominated team is making good progress, as evidenced by its advancement to the consolation championship game at the Southside Tournament last weekend.
The Owls (7-4) found themselves looking at a big early deficit against Navarro (5-2) and trailed 33-16. By the end of the third quarter, Highlands had reduced the Panthers’ lead to two points. It got no closer. Navarro won 60-51 last Saturday.
“We have a lot to work on,” Highlands coach Adrianna Wiatrek said. “We have an awful lot of new faces, mixed in with young kids. Jelling and chemistry has to come. The discipline also has to develop. We have games where we’re up 17-18 and end up winning by two.”
Highlands began the tournament with a 44-34 loss to Marshall last Thursday, but bounced back to edge Weslaco East 50-46 later in the day. In their only Friday contest, the Owls won 45-42 over Lee (2-7).
Host Southside also had success at its tournament. The Cardinals (2-3) defeated El Paso Del Valle 55-50 and Holmes 38-32 Thursday. On Friday, they downed Beeville 62-37. Del Valle exacted revenge Saturday, however, defeating Southside 39-27.
Sophomores Aaliyah Prince and Jazmine Jackson led the Owls with 18 and nine points, respectively, against Navarro. Jackson also grabbed a team-best 14 rebounds. One of the team’s highest totals behind a 19-rebound outing from Alexis Darden.
Senior Mercedes Reyes contributed 12 points and 10 rebounds against Marshall (6-5).
“It’s not just one person (Prince) doing the scoring this year,” Wiatrek said. “They’ve stepped up across the board. Aliyah and Jina Lackey have been pretty consistent. One of our freshmen, Kiara Pesina, should be No. 1 or 2 in the city in steals. She had 12 in one game.
“Our defense has been great. Emily Pearce is not one of our leading scorers, but she gives us all the intangibles.”
The Owls fashioned an 11-5 record in District 28-4A last year and should be a contender again.
“Once we get all those things ironed out,” Wiatrek said. “I think we’ll compare to the team that made the playoffs in 5A. Give us another year. They’re very much alike.”
Southside senior Desiree Rodriguez erupted for 30 points in the first games against Del Valle. Mayra Sendejo added nine points, seven rebounds and three assists.
Senior Sabrina Guzman led the Cardinals with 18 points, five assists and four steals against Holmes (0-6). Aimee Wood notched three steals. Senior Amber Martinez blocked two shots.
SAISD Tournament
Brackenridge (7-3) made the best showing among eight area teams, although none ended up placing.
The Eagles finished the tournament with wins over Smithson Valley 66-56 and East Central 54-36 last Saturday. Brackenridge won three of its four tourney games.
Miranda Acuna led the Eagles with 21 points and Brittney Morales added 13 against East Central (3-3). The Hornets, who won two tournament games, received 12 points from Claudia Flores. Acuna had 20 points and Skyler Reyna 16 against Smithson Valley (5-5).
East Central began the tournament Thursday with a 43-33 win over Lanier. Ariel Allen (12 points) and Janik Alexander-Smith (11) were the leading scorers for the Hornets. Ruby Garza contributed 14 points and Sabrina Cortinas had 13 for the Voks (2-5).
Jefferson (3-5) also won two games. The Mustangs closed the tournament Saturday by defeating New Braunfels Canyon (2-5) 43-38. Adriana Aguinaga scored 16 points and Melanie Ybarra finished with nine.
The Mustangs also defeated Sam Houston 61-45 Friday.
BOYS BASKETBALL: While Richards weighs decision, Eagles off to flying start
Southside nets first victory under Vela
Now that the Brackenridge portion of his football career is over, the Eagles await Ramon Richards’ decision on whether he’ll play basketball this year. Meanwhile, the senior standout’s prospective teammates have served notice that they’ll be fine, with or without Richards.
Brackenridge (2-2) hadn’t played a game when it embarked on the SACS Fall Classic last Thursday, and the initiation included losses to Lee (67-59) and host San Antonio Christian (53-49). The Eagles wrapped up the tournament with a pair of wins last Friday, defeating Memorial (1-3) 63-52 and Southside (1-3) 64-34 in the maroon bracket consolation final.
“We’re really young, but we have a really bright future ahead of us,” Brackenridge coach Joey Isaac said. “There were a lot of good things that happened this weekend. To go 2-2, I was really happy about our first four games.”
Brackenridge starts two sophomores, Nathan Lopez and 6-foot-4 Richard Wallace, along with three returning veterans. Seniors Devante Anderson and Gabriel Hildebrand are team-leading scorers with deft shooting touches. Junior Aaron Lopez is the point guard in his third varsity season.
Richards incurred a concussion and an ankle sprain during football season.
“He’s a great defensive stopper,” Isaac said. “He’s also a great motivator and leader, but I wish him the best whatever decision he makes.”
The Eagles’ archrival Burbank was the only other area team to win two games at the Fall Classic.
After dropping its season-opener 63-43 to Harlandale, Burbank won its first two tournaments games Thursday. Michael Mascoro led the Bulldogs with nine points against Harlandale.
The Bulldogs defeated Warren 77-58 and Southside 59-35 Thursday. Last Friday, they finished with the gold bracket championship game against Laredo United, but the score was not reported.
Southside
The Burbank game was the season opener for the Cardinals (1-3). New coach Romy Vela, who coached at Central Catholic the previous several years, was hired for the start of the school year, so they had to hit the ground running.
After losing 81-59 to Warren and to Burbank Thursday, Southside began Friday with an 85-79 double-overtime win over Jefferson. Unfortunately for the Cardinals, they were feeling the after-effects when they faced Brackenridge.
Vela is building the program around senior veterans Drevon Brown and Francisco Solis. Like Brack, the Cardinals will get a boost from their football team. Four players practiced for the first time last week.
“We’ve got a lot of work to do,” Vela said, “but the kids have responded the way we wanted them to. That was a good win.”
Highlands
The Owls (3-2) reached the consolation championship of the challenging Northside ISD Tournament, where they fell to McAllen Rowe 54-39.
Highlands began the season with an impressive 83-71 non-district win over East Central (2-3) Nov. 12 behind 21 points from sophomore DeMarcus Hartfield. The Owls lost their opening game at the tournament 58-49 to Brandeis last Thursday, but didn’t lose again until they faced Rowe Saturday.
In Friday’s games, Highlands defeated Laredo Martin 74-57 and Roosevelt 56-54. In the consolation championship, Hartfield led the Owls with 19 points. Joseph Jackson was the next-highest scorer with six.
Central Catholic
The Buttons (1-4) had a rough first week under Vela’s successor, Bruce McConaghy.
After losing its opener 73-60 to Alamo Heights Nov. 13, Central Catholic trounced Taft 79-47 in its first game at the Northside tournament last Thursday as junior Tony Lewis scored 19 points. A day later, the Buttons lost 73-64 to MacArthur and 61-51 to Stevens. In the tournament finale, they lost a 52-51 heartbreaker to Reagan (3-2).
FOOTBALL: Burbank hopes to grow a playoff tradition from loss to powerhouse Tivy
Bulldogs went from winless to postseason berth
The contrast in football traditions between the combatants that met in the Class 4A Division II bi-district game last Friday at Benson Stadium on the University of the Incarnate Word campus couldn’t have been more vast.
Kerrville Tivy (7-4) is currently best known as the alma mater of Texas A&M Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Manziel, although its achievements predate the mercurial star’s by decades. Burbank (3-8) was making its first postseason appearance since 1978.
The Bulldogs weren’t able to compete with Tivy’s tradition of success in the short run. The Antlers dominated Burbank in a 58-6 victory. The hope for second-year Bulldogs coach Mark Perez is that the game will be known as an important second step for the program.
“We didn’t want to be satisfied with one playoff game,” said Burbank senior Jeremy Sanchez, who started at quarterback, receiver and defensive end during the season. “We went as far as we could, which is not to say we’re happy about this. But we’re excited for next year.
“They’ll make it to playoffs and, if they have the right mindset, they’ll go further. ”
The first step was to snap a 13-game winning streak, which the Bulldogs did by winning their second game of the season over Pearsall Sept. 5.
Burbank ended its season with five consecutive losses, after opening District 28-4A play with back-to-back wins over Highlands and Jefferson.
“(Tivy) played tough and executed extremely well,” Perez said. “This is a lesson and we’ll learn from it. But I’m proud of my kids. We’re moving forward.”
The Antlers stopped Burbank on four downs in the game’s first series and scored two pass plays later, on a 41-yard completion from Cade Dyal (10 of 12, 132 yards) to Hutch White. They rolled to 24 points in the opening quarter and 27 more in the second.
By halftime, Tivy led 51-0 and had amassed 287 total yards. Antlers wide receiver Tyler Ahrens explained that Tivy’s tradition served as motivation in postseason games.
“It’s very important,” said Ahrens, who caught a 17-yard touchdown pass from backup quarterback Bailey McKinney 3:25 before halftime. “The new guys come up just wanting to be a part of it. There is pressure to keep it going. You don’t want to be part of the class that lets it down.
“But I love it. I love the pressure that comes with it.”
Back-breaking injuries to quarterback Daniel Tello, Marcos Luna and fullback-linebacker Damien Gusme, who was hurt against Tivy, derailed the team after a strong start.
Emblematic of their struggles was the fact that the Bulldogs played three quarterbacks, including J.P. Barrera who was promoted from the junior varsity, in the course of the season. Tello suffered a concussion in the preseason. He came back for one spectacular game against Jefferson, then tore an anterior cruciate ligament in the next game versus Brennan and missed the remainder of the schedule.
Tello is expected to return for next season. Sanchez expects the returners to continue the improvement the program has made in a short span of time.
The senior, who started at quarterback for the first time in three games, scored the game’s last touchdown on a five-yard keeper with 2:45 remaining. The Bulldogs finished with 102 total yards.
“We believed in ourselves and made it all come true,” Sanchez said of the transformation from a winless 2012 to the playoffs.
GIRLS BASKETBALL: This week’s schedule/results (updated Nov. 22)
NOTE: teams we cover are in boldface
Games of Nov. 18-23
Tuesday’s results
Non-district
Clark (5-2) 61, East Central (3-4) 23
Southside (3-3) 67, South San (2-3) 57
Southwest (7-1) 66, McCollum (2-5) 52
Harlandale (4-4) 53, Jefferson (3-6) 43
Kennedy (1-3) 36, Fox Tech (2-5) 13
Holy Cross (3-4) 60, Providence (1-5) 42
Sam Houston (0-4 ???) at Stevens (3-3), 7:30 p.m. (score unavailable)
Alamo Heights (2-3) 69, Edison (3-6) 31
Burbank (2-5 ???) at Boerne (4-3), 7:30 p.m. (score unavailable)
Wednesday’s results
Non-district
Roosevelt (9-2) 67, Highlands (7-5) 25
Holmes (1-8) 44, Lanier (2-6 ???), 31
Incarnate Word (4-2) 59, Young Women’s Leadership Academy (1-5) 14
Thursday’s games
Non-district
Providence (1-5) 51, Laredo St. Augustine (???) 8
Cole Tournament
La Vernia (5-0) 57, Edison (3-7) 21
Memorial (2-2 ???) 47, Fox Tech (2-6) 38
Southside (4-3) 55, Somerset (2-2 ???) 45
Eagle Pass Winn Tournament
AREA TEAMS – Kennedy (1-3). FINALS – Saturday.
Jaguar Classic
At Floresville
Brackenridge (9-3) 59, Medina Valley (1-3) 48
Brackenridge (9-3) 63, Hays (4-3) 47
Marshall (7-6) 48, Holy Cross (3-5) 30
Floresville (6-4) 55, Burbank (3-6 ???) 27
Marshall (7-6) 55, Harlandale (4-5) 45
Southwest (8-1) 55, Lanier (2-7 ???) 38
Corpus Christi Tuloso-Midway (???) 38, Sam Houston (0-6 ???) 20
MacArthur (7-3) 71, Highlands (7-7) 37
San Marcos (1-2 ???) 43, Sam Houston (0-6 ???) 25
Burbank (3-6 ???) 45, Seguin (1-3 ???) 44
Laredo Alexander 55, Highlands (7-7) 42
Friday’s results
Non-district
Providence (2-5) at TMI (???), 6 p.m.
Jefferson (4-6), 87, Hawkins (2-2 ???) 16
Cole Tournament
AREA TEAMS – Edison, Fox Tech (2-6), Memorial (2-2 ???), Southside. FINALS – Saturday.
Somerset (4-3) 55, Edison (3-9) 42
Southside (6-3) 71, Randolph (0-5 ???) 47
Southside (6-3) 55, Edison (3-9) 43
Eagle Pass Winn Tournament
AREA TEAMS – Kennedy (1-3). FINALS – Saturday.
Jaguar Classic
At Floresville
AREA TEAMS – Brackenridge, Burbank (2-5 ???), East Central (3-4), Harlandale, Highlands (7-5), Holy Cross (3-5), Lanier (2-6 ???), Sam Houston (0-4 ???), Southwest. FINALS – Saturday.
Brackenridge (10-4) 57, MacArthur (7-4) 48
Harlandale (5-5) 64, Medina Valley (1-4) 57
Brandeis (8-3) 65, Brackenridge (10-4) 51
Incarnate Word (8-2) 58, Southwest (7-2) 54
McAllen ISD Tournament
Laredo Johnson (???) 55, South San (2-4) 47
Saturday’s results
Non-district
Cole Tournament
Fox Tech (3-7) 30, Crystal City (3-3 ???) 27
Edison (5-9) 55, Randolph (1-6 ???) 50
Edison (5-9) 47, Comfort (1-5) 22
Southside (7-3) 58, Crystal City (3-3 ???) 54
Memorial (3-3 ???) 25, Comfort (1-5) 23
Randolph (1-6 ???) 46, Fox Tech (3-7) 22
Somerset (4-3), Memorial (3-3 ???) 25
Eagle Pass Winn Tournament
AREA TEAMS – Kennedy (1-3). FINALS – Saturday. (scores unavailable)
Jaguar Classic
At Floresville
AREA TEAMS – Brackenridge, Burbank (2-5 ???), East Central (3-4), Harlandale (5-5), Highlands (7-5), Holy Cross (3-5), Lanier (2-6 ???), Sam Houston (0-4 ???), Southwest. FINALS – Saturday.
Brackenridge (12-3) 47, Southwest (7-2) 46
McAllen ISD Tournament
AREA TEAMS – South San (2-4). FINALS – Saturday. (scores unavailable)
BOYS BASKETBALL: This week’s schedule/results (updated Nov. 23)
NOTE: teams we cover are in boldface
Games of Nov. 18-23
Monday’s results
Non-district
Brackenridge (2-2) vs. Memorial (1-3) at Edgewood Gym, 6 p.m. (score unavailable)
Madison (1-1 ???) 64, Sam Houston (1-1) 45
Tuesday’s results
Non-district
Reagan (4-2) 53, McCollum (1-2) 39
Harlandale (2-0) 49, Jefferson (1-5) 38
New Braunfels (5-2) 80, Kennedy (0-3) 42
Seguin (2-1) 67, South San (0-2) 62
East Central (3-3) 60, Clark (2-1) 54
O’Connor (4-2) 69, Highlands (3-3) 65
Boerne Champion (2-0) 79, Holy Cross (0-2) 45
Burbank (2-3 ???) at Somerset (0-1), 7:30 p.m. (score unavailable)
Stevens (4-2) 70, Southwest (0-2 ???) 60
Steele (2-0) 72, Lanier (1-1) 65 (OT)
Wednesday’s results
Non-district
Antonian (5-1) 61, Fox Tech (0-3 ???) 28
Thursday’s games
Non-district
Edgewood ISD Tournament
AREA TEAMS – Kennedy (0-3), McCollum (1-2). FINALS – Saturday at Edgewood Gym.
NEISD Tournament
Central Catholic (2-5) 68, Highlands (3-4) 46
Fort Bend Clements (???) 64, Central Catholic (2-5) 50
St. Anthony Tournament
AREA TEAMS – Brackenridge, Fox Tech, Southside. FINALS – Saturday.
Southside (3-3) 80, Cotulla (0-2 ???) 52
Southside (3-3) 81, Fox Tech (0-6 ???) 43
St. Anthony (3-1) 94, Fox Tech (0-6 ???) 24
Brackenridge (2-2) vs. Lytle (0-2 ???), (score unavailable)
Brackenridge (2-2) vs. Lockhart (???), (score unavailable)
Friday’s games
Non-district
South San (1-2) 57, Harlandale (2-1) 53
East Central (4-3) 94 New Braunfels (5-3) 63
Southwest (0-2 ???) at Del Rio (0-0 ???), 7:30 p.m. (score unavailable)
Pearsall (1-0 ???) 43, Holy Cross (0-3) 34
Brandeis (4-3) 59, Sam Houston (1-2) 54
Edgewood ISD Tournament
McCollum (3-2) 68, Kennedy (0-6) 48
McCollum (3-2) 58, Memorial (3-5) 50
Memorial (3-5) 61, Hawkins (1-3) 31
Kerrville Tivy (2-0 ???) 58, Kennedy (0-6) 43
NEISD Tournament
Fort Bend Clements (???) 64, Highlands (3-5) 52
Central Catholic (3-5) 55, McAllen Memorial (???) 35
St. Anthony Tournament
Boerne (6-2) 61, Brackenridge (2-3 ???) 47
St. Anthony (4-1) 99, Southside (3-4) 63
Lytle 58, Fox Tech (0-7 ???) 56
Saturday’s games
Non-district
Edgewood ISD Tournament
Kerrville Tivy (3-1 ???) 53, Memorial (3-6) 45
Hawkins (2-4) 54, Kennedy (0-7) 44
McCollum (5-2) 77, Hawkins (2-4) 31
Championship
McCollum (5-2) 51, Kerrville Tivy (3-1) 46
NEISD Tournament
MacArthur (6-4) 65, Central Catholic (3-6) 60
St. Anthony Tournament
Gray Bracket
Semifinals
Brackenridge (4-3 ???) 53, Laredo St. Augustine (???) 40
Championship
Brackenridge (4-3 ???) 65, San Marcos Home School (???) 59
Garnet Bracket
Consolation semifinals
St. Mary’s Hall (6-3) 69, Southside (3-5) 58
FOOTBALL: Area playoff schedule (Nov. 29-30)
NOTE: teams we cover are in boldface
Games of Nov. 15-16
Friday’s games
CLASS 5A
Division I
Bi-district round
Warren (9-2) 48, East Central (5-6) 44
O’Connor (8-3) 31, Southwest (5-6) 6
CLASS 4A
Division I
Bi-district round
Hays (9-2) 45, Brackenridge (7-4) 20
Harlandale (9-2) 37, Gregory-Portland (4-7) 35
Division II
Bi-district round
Kerrville Tivy (7-4) 58, Burbank (3-8) 6
Alamo Heights (8-3) 28, Lanier (4-7) 7
CLASS 3A
Division II
Bi-district round
Navarro (10–1) 61, Sam Houston (2-9) 20
Saturday’s games
TAPPS DIVISION I
Quarterfinals
Argyle Liberty Christian (8-3) 52, Central Catholic (4-7) 6
TAPPS DIVISION II
Quarterfinals
Holy Cross (8-3) 55, Houston Northland Christian (3-7) 28
Games of Nov. 22-23
Saturday’s games
CLASS 4A
Division I
Area round
Harlandale (10-2) 33, Rio Grande City (5-7) 28
TAPPS DIVISION II
Semifinals
Katy Pope John XXIII (9-2) 22, Holy Cross (8-4) 14
Games of Nov. 29-30
Saturday’s game
CLASS 4A
Division I
Regional round
Harlandale (10-2) vs. Rouse (9-3), 8 p.m. at Bobcat Stadium, San Marcos
SAN ANTONIO SOUTH SIDE SPORTS 