By Steve Dooley -
11.28.08
Haynesville - Two powerhouse
offenses collided in the quarterfinal round of the
Class 1A playoffs Friday night in Haynesville, but you
wouldn't know it from the results. The #4 seeded
Golden Tornado of Haynesville, averaging 305 yards of
offense on the season, hosted the #5 seeded Oak Grove
Tigers, who came into the contest averaging 369 yards
of offense. When the drizzle settled (no dust to be
found), the two teams combined mustered only 491 yards
of total offense.
A steady, cold rain helped to put a
damper on the offensive productivity of both teams.
The Oak Grove defense held Haynesville to only 50
yards rushing in the first half. Meanwhile, the Tiger
option offense could not handle a slippery football,
surrendering 32 yards on mishandled pitches.
Oak Grove did manage to take the
early lead on a 14-yard field goal by Kendrick
Jackson, following a clock-depleting drive of 15 plays
covering 71 yards and consuming the first 9 1/2
minutes of the first quarter. On a wet football field
in a contest between two very evenly matched teams, a
successful field goal could mean the difference in the
game and it almost was on this night.
Haynesville had only one offensive
possession in the entire first period, using only
three plays that netted eight yards. Oak Grove head
coach Vic Dalrymple's strategy to control the ball and
the clock had gotten off to a brilliant start.
In the second period, both teams
again struggled to move the football. Oak Grove lost
10 yards on one of six fumbles on the night and had to
punt from their own 22 yard line. Haynesville managed
to keep their offensive drive alive only after
converting a fourth and three at Oak Grove's 38 yard
line. Then, on a third and nine, Haynesville
quarterback Lance Reeves executed a brilliant
play-action and tossed an easy touchdown pass to D.J.
Lewis. The 2-point conversion was good and Haynesville
took the lead 8-3 midway through the second period.
With just over two minutes left in
the half, Oak Grove faced a fourth and six from their
own 22 yard line. Haynesville defensive end Hayden
McLendon got penetration and a hand on the ball.
McLendon followed the blocked punt into the endzone
but his momentum carried the ball through the endzone
for a safety. With 2:38 left in the half, Haynesville
extended their lead to 10-3.
Haynesville got good field position
at Oak Grove's 26 following the free kick. Anxious to
get more points on the board before the half,
Haynesville attempted a halfback option pass from
Dextrell French to Lewis, but the pass was intercepted
by Oak Grove's Charles Howard at the Tiger's 12 yard
line. Oak Grove then advanced the ball down to
Haynesville's 32 where the first-half clock expired
with Haynesville on top 10-3.
Neither team could convert points
from their initial drives in the second half.
Haynesville made an offensive adjustment during
half-time and came out with a spread offense with
French in the shotgun. That strategy paid off on
Haynesville's second offensive series when French kept
it himself for a 10-yard touchdown run with 1:58 left
in the third period. The 2-point conversion attempt
was unsuccessful, but the Golden Tors led 16-3.
Following 33 yards of penalties for
unsportsmanlike conduct, Haynesville had to kick off
from their own 12 yard line. Oak Grove got good field
position at the Tor's 44 yard line and immediately
took advantage with a 44-yard touchdown pass from
Jackson to De La Mayers. Jackson kicked the extra
point and Oak Grove pulled to within six points.
Oak Grove had a couple of
opportunities in the final period to possibly score
and take the lead. But, the Haynesville defense would
not give up any territory beyond their own 45 yard
line. On Oak Grove's final series, the Tigers faced a
fourth and six from midfield. Quarterback Jimmy
Pepmiller rolled out to pass but couldn't find an open
receiver. Pepmiller turned upfield and picked up five
of the six yards needed. Oak Grove turned the ball
over on downs and Haynesville managed to run out the
rest of the clock to preserve the win by a final score
of 16-10.
Dextrell French led all rushers on
the night with 77 yards on 16 carries and one
touchdown. Kendrick Jackson led for Oak Grove with 69
yards on 12 carries and contributed to all 10 points
for the Tigers by kicking a field goal, throwing a
44-yard touchdown pass, and kicking the extra point.
The only other touchdown in the game was the 33-yard
pass from Reeves to Lewis.
With the win, Haynesville advances
to the semi-final round and must travel to Port
Sulphur to take on #1 seeded South Plaquemines, who
advanced by defeating Block 66-7. Oak Grove finishes
up their season with an 8-5 overall record.
For all of the Oak Grove seniors
who played their last high school football game,
congratulations on continuing the tradition at Oak
Grove. Tiger fans have enjoyed 12 straight seasons of
high school football after Thanksgiving. On behalf of
Oak Grove Tiger fans who log on to this site from
around the world, thanks to Tevin Mitchell, Trent Cox,
Clay Howard, Will Crowe, Deoncus Nelson, Tyler Mobley,
Caleb Shelton, and Allen Carroll. Continued good luck
and God's blessings.
Oak
Grove Comes Up Short By Six