Klein Oak vs. Woodlands

2010 Texas 5A Division I Football Playoffs – 

Panthers travel and eliminate the undefeated Highlanders 

The Woodlands; Woodforest Stadium; Their place; They’re undefeated and ranked #6 in the state.  The under dog Panthers arrive at 4:30 Friday afternoon November 11th, 2010; to whining bag – pipes marching around the stadium and through the parking lot.  This is the Houston area game of the week and everyone expects the Highlanders to run away with it……  (every one that is except the Klein Oak Panthers).  Friday night lights!!!!

Q1 – The opening quarter starts and with a kick out of bounds by The Woodlands.  Panthers take possession 1st and 10 from the 30.  After a couple first downs the drive stalls out because of penalties.  Number 28 Michael Shroble comes in to punt.  A hand full of plays later and Oak is down 7 – zip.  The second drive of this very important game KO punts after 3 plays.  

The Panther ‘Pressure’ is applied in the second series by the Highlanders.  Number 21 Dashone Smith makes the read and tracks down the opposing QB for a solo stop in the flat on an option play.  Follow that with a pressure by #49 Keaton Studdert and coverage by Smith to break up a play; then a sack by the entire defensive front FIVE (#84 John Lewis, #47 Nathan Hughes, #61 Jared Williams, #46 AJ Hilliard and #50 Joe Mathews).  More pressure on a hot blitz by Smith and the Highlanders punt.

KO comes out mixing it up a bit on offense.  The idea is pound the ball up the middle with #44 EJ Fatu behind the ‘Dozers’ (O. Line #78 Skyler Denny, #75 Arthur Fatu, #65 Justin Moreno, #74 Eric Sanchez and #55 Jeremy Jones).  The idea gains momentum when mixed with quick throws to the outside.  Fatu grabs big chucks of yardage up the middle.  And #2 Nicky Baratti threads the needle hitting #10 Tuff McClain and #7 Tory Waites for first downs.  McClain makes a great diving catch in the flat to keep the drive alive. 

Q2 – Shroble comes in nailing a 39 yard field goal as the second quarter begins; Oak trails 7 – 3 with 11:06 on the clock.  The Highlanders come out and score on their next opportunity.  Now KO trails 14 – 3 with 8:48 remaining in Q2.  After a short return KO takes over 1st and 10 on the 18.  Baratti rolls right decides to tuck the ball and run.  And he smooth mows over 2 defenders picking up 15 yards.  The offense is frustrated Oak punts.  The punt is returned to the Panther 43 yard line.  It looks like Oak is in trouble; a short field and a bit of momentum for TW doesn’t look good. Number 17 Travis Arthur and Smith make a stop in the open field as the Highlander QB picks up 9 on first down. What follows is remarkable; 1) Hilliard makes a beautiful read – no gain 2) on a run up the middle the entire ‘D’ front line slams forward no gain 3) 4th and 1 from the Panther 34 yard line the Highlanders go for it - quick snap our guys slam their guys middle linebacker Matthews flies into the hole …… KO takes over on downs!!!

A HUGE shift in mojo…..  The Panther offense takes the field.  Back to what worked best in the last drive; EJ Fatu gains BIG yardage up the middle behind his pulling older brother Arthur.  Baratti rolls right, has all day to throw and hits Waites on the outside picking up another 1st down.  McClain seals the corner, Denny stretches to the outside linebacker, Baratti sweeps, with a last second option to Fatu KO picks up 11 yards and another 1st down (Fatu hurdles safety securing an extra 4 yards).  You guessed it …. back to the middle….  Fatu picks up 20 mowing over multiple defenders.  Jones, Sanchez and Moreno lead the way for EJ as he goes over the top for a TD with 1:02 left in the half.  KO trails 14 – 10 at half time.  The late defensive stand and score may prove to be just the mojo break needed as the players head into the locker room for a quick breather and adjustments.

Q3 – KO kicks to start the 3rd.  The Panther ‘D’ picks up where it left off.  Smith explodes on a receiver in the flat.  Williams covers on a screen pass shutting down a sneak play.  Matthews slides through the line and records a QB sack.  The Highlanders punt…..  AND it’s blocked by #25 Lemon Ford!!!  HUGE special teams play!!!  Panthers take over 1st and 10 from TW24 yard line.  Back to the middle with EJ behind the Dozers.  Then fake to the middle with EJ and option outside with Baratti and #22 Lorenzo Stewart perfect execution and super quick feet by Stewart means 12 yards.  First and goal for KO; Back to the middle twice….. 3rd and goal.  Baratti under center, takes the snap, fakes to EJ up the gut, rolls left as EJ slips through the middle coming wide open in the end zone.  Baratti hits him on the numbers.  Execution by KO is outstanding.  The Dozers provide value protection allowing great things to happen.  Panthers lead for good 17 – 14 with 7:09 in the 3rd.

Of course TW offense comes out to score and take the lead again…. The problem they have is the Pressuring Panther ‘D’.  Travis Arthur makes a saving solo tackle in the secondary.  Smith records a solo TFL on a QB keeper.  The Highlanders are driving.  Down to the KO 27 yard line.  A pass break up by Arthur, a penalty on TW and then a FUMBLE…..  Oak ball - TAKE AWAY - fumble recovery by Matthews!!!  

Baratti leads the ‘O’ back onto the field.  Three plays later Waites catches a swing pass in the right flat and smooth out runs all the defenders for a 58 yard TD……  unfortunately he step out of bounds on the Highlander 28.  Okay 1st and 10 on the 28.  EJ middle.  Baratti left.  EJ middle.  Baratti left.  Baratti left.  EJ back right.  Moreno, Arthur Fatu and Denny blow out the right side EJ scores untouched.  Twenty one unanswered points by The Fighting Panthers who now lead 24 – 14 with 2:03 in the 3rd.

The final stanza – the next Highlander drive is a massive show of pressure by KO. Lewis and Ford get a QB sack on the first play.  Matthews has a TFL on the second play.  Hughes has a massive sack on the 3rd play.  TW punt there is no return.  KO punts.  TW starts to drive again…. 1st and 10 on the 20….  Then 1st and 10 on the 46….  Then 1st and 10 on the KO 29 yard line…. Then 2nd and 7….. then 3rd and 1 …. Then 4th and 1…. Then HUGE play of the day again by Ford.  Ford slams forward knocking down a pass on 4th down creating another TAKE AWAY for the Panthers!!!  

Oak drives through mid field.  Penalties frustrate the effort and Shroble punts.  More HUGE ‘D’ to come; monster solo tackle (TFL) by Ford in the flat, big pressure by Studdert and coverage by Arthur makes for an incomplete pass.  3rd and 12 for the Highlanders; Arthur has big stick across the middle to break up a pass play.  4th and 12 from the 29; TW QB drops back to pass…..  he’s met there by Hughes, Studdert and #73 Jay Andrews.  You got it QB SACK!!!  The Fighting Panthers take over on downs 1st and 10 on TW 23 yard line.  

Making quick work of the 23 yards left Nicky Baratti swings left (following a sweeeet block by McClain) out running all the defenders to pay dirt.  28 unanswered points by the Panthers.  As time runs off the clock Klein Oak celebrates a 31 – 14 victory over the undefeated top ranked Woodlands Highlanders.

Next up is the undefeated 4th ranked team in state, Round Rock Stony Point.  Celebrate tonight and back to work tomorrow.  A HUGE win for the Panthers and Oak Nation.

OAK’ em…..