Klein Oak Panthers vs Westfield Mustangs October 29, 2009
Klein Oak running game and defense shuts out Westfield 12-0.
The game began poorly for Klein Oak when they fumbled at the 25 yard line on their first possession. Westfield took over with good field position but was unable to convert a 1st down after Oak’s Tyler Norwood stopped a 3rd and short with a tackle for a loss. A strategic short punt by Westfield put Klein Oak deep in their own territory at the 6 yard line.
With the wind blowing and the rain coming down sideways Oak put together a short drive that ended with a pass interception at the 30 yard line. Westfield was stalled again with tackling by Oak’s Tony Scott, Omar Rojas, William Thomson, and Jeffrey Toth. Oak took over on downs at their 30 yard line but had to punt after failing to convert a 1st down. The Mustangs fumbled the ball on the punt return and Oak’s Travis Minkus was there to recover. The Panthers now had good field position at the 33 yard line of Westfield.
As the rain continued to fall the Panthers stayed with the ground game behind the running of Gabriel Limon and the offensive line of Tanner Choppy, Adam List, Travis Dice, Thomas Seltz and Philip Castor. With a 1st down and 10 at the 11 yard line Limon ran the ball up the middle to the 1 yard line where it looked like he would be stopped, however a second effort by the offensive line pushed the goal line pile back and the Panthers scored. A two point conversion was not successful, but Oak had the lead 6-0.
Kwame Kuffor kicked off for Klein Oak into the Westfield end zone. Westfield started at their 20 yard line. A sloppy field made it difficult for either team to advance the ball. Westfield managed to drive into Klein Oak territory but a lose ball brought up a long 4th down and 17. A short Mustang punt into the rain gave Klein Oak the ball on their 34 yard line. The Oak offense took some time off the clock and moved the ball to the Westfield 42 yard line with runs by Gabriel Limon and Rock Stevens. Time ran out and the 1st half ended with Klein Oak leading 6-0.
Westfield received the ball at their 20 yard line to start the 2nd half. Westfield advanced to their 36 yard line, but fumbled a ball that was recovered by Tony Scott. Oak took over on the Westfield 36 yard line and with the help of a personal foul penalty moved the ball to the 19 yard line. However, a holding penalty and two incomplete passes forced Oak to turn the ball over on downs.
Westfield took over at their 20 yard line and started a drive that would take 10 minutes off the clock. The Mustangs were getting comfortable playing on a soggy field and put together their own running game that advanced the ball. The Oak defense made several stops with tackling by Saul Chavez, Seth Bordelon, Tyler Norwood, William Thomson, and Derrick Downing. Jeffrey Toth made a splashing sideline tackle in the mud that had the Oak Coaches and players scampering to get out of the way. Antonio Salgado was all over the field in the face of Westfield with several tackles for a loss. Even with Oak’s stepped up defense and time running out Westfield managed to complete a long pass to the Oak 8 yard line. A tackle for loss by Salgado set up a 2nd down and goal at the 12. Westfield was threatening to tie the game and possibly go ahead with an extra point. However, a Westfield pass in the middle of the field was intercepted by Gabriel Limon, who was now playing defense, and ran back 95 yards for a touchdown and a 12-0 Panther lead. The Oak defense sealed the victory on Westfield’s next possession with tackles by Louis Urrea and Kurt Berkes as time expired. Klein Oak wins 12 – 0.
