Klein Oak Panthers vs Dekaney Wildcats November 5, 2009
KO defense leads the way over Dekaney in the final 2009 regular season matchup 28 - 13
The Panthers eliminate Dekaney from the Texas 5A football playoff race with a decisive defensive showing. KO holds Dekaney to under 180 yards total offense, forcing 4 fumbles and 1 interception. In the meantime, the offense racked up 300 yards (200 yards on the ground) gobbling up precious time controlling the game until the very end.
Spring Dekaney (SD) returns the opening kick to the 43. A 1st and 10 from the 43; DK’s first two plays from scrimmage result in 4 yards and big stops by Demetrich Gilliam, John Lewis, Trey Payne and Tyler Jones. On the 3rd play an errant snap goes over the head of the QB; Jones, Gilliam and Nathan Hughes (among others) chase the ball down. Wrecking havoc along the way Gilliam picks up the loose ball and returns it 8 yards for a touchdown. Oak scores first and never trails; 7 – 0 after a successful extra point by Michael Shroble.
Another long return by SD gives them the ball 1st and 10 on the 44……. add a penalty to that. Can you say short field 1 – 10 from the KO 41 yard line. A hand full of plays later and the score is tied up at 7 with 5:44 left in Q1. The Panther offense finally takes the field 1st and 10 from the 20. Running the ball on the first series; left, right, right and middle Oak picks up a first down then Shroble punts. SD fumbles the ball on the next two snaps. Then Lewis and Jones tag team on a TFL making it 4th and 14 from the 23. KO takes over on the 45 after a 22 yard punt.
This is the part of the story when Eddie Fatu takes over. Moreno blows the nose guard over and Fatu runs for 16 then runs over 5 (or 6) SD defenders for another 12. Q2 starts. Mixing in a quick swing pass in the flat from Andy Wilson to Nick Baratti…… then it’s back to Fatu (and ‘The Dozers’). On a 4th and goal from the 2 Fatu pounds it in for a TD following super fine ‘O’ play by ‘The Dozers’ Kyle Bottoms, Greg Flores, Moreno, Arthur Fatu and Skyler Denny. Include an extra point and Oak leads 14 – 7. Dekaney is completely stuffed by the KO ‘D’ on the next series. Excellent team ‘D’ leads the way. Super fine play in the secondary by Travis Arthur and Cory Abron put Dekaney in the bind. The punt is faked and then baked by Hughes, Abron and Jones. Oak ball on the 42 then penalties stall the drive before it starts….. Shroble punts.
SD closes out the 1st half with a missed 42 yard field goal on this drive. Abron has a HUGE pass deflect in the end zone to prevent a TD in the closing seconds of the half. Everyone on the ‘D’ made valuable contributions to keep Dekaney from scoring as the clock ticked down. At halftime KO leads 14 – 7.
A punishing run attack in the name of the game; Fatu, Wilson and Baratti run for clumps of yardage lead by ‘The Dozers’. A bit of play action (and great protection) allows Wilson to connect with a streaking Michael Starr. Traffic in the area reminds me of the loop, 290 and I-10 at 5:30 Monday night. Starr makes a beautiful grab then out runs everyone 51 yards to pay dirt. Shroble steps in for the extra point and KO pushes the lead to 21 – 7 with 9:06 left in Q3.
More super fine ‘D’ by the Panthers. The linemen and middle linebackers (Lewis, McClendon, Hughes, Collin Russell and Gilliam) are handling the middle and pushing everything to Muncie, Abron, Payne, Jones, Arthur and Dashone Smith on the edges. Works like a charm Dekaney punts. More punting by both teams….. and Q4 starts. ‘The Dozers’ take over the line of scrimmage again. Pulling and trapping causing tons of trouble for the SD defense. Fatu slams and bangs through the middle defense for BIG gains. When SD packs in the middle Baratti and Wilson swing out wide for excellent yardage. Wilson threads the needle to Tory Waites on a deep slant then connects with Max Stevenson for a 14 yard TD on a wide open seam route. 28 – 7 Oak leads.
On the next SD drive Abron steps in a picks off an errant pass due to heavy pressure by McClendon. Penalties frustrate Oak and Shroble punts. Gilliam and Lewis make big solo tackles forcing a 4th and 8 for Dekaney. They go for it on 4th down. Oak forces a fumble which is recovered by SD. However KO take over on downs. Two plays later KO fumbles SD returns it to the 12. Dekaney scores with 0:36 seconds on the clock but the extra point in no good. Time expires….. game over.
The last game of the 2009 regular season ends with Oak whoop’ in up on Dekaney (and the leading running back in the city) winning 28 - 13. Over the final 5 district games the Panthers go 4 – 1 finishing in a multiple tie for second place in the district (district record 4 – 3). Next up is the district 13 – 5A tie breaker system. OakNation will be ready. OAK’ em!!!
