 |
|
|
|
| 8/29/2009 1:22:00 AM | Email this article • Print this article | Tigers blank Mules, 29-0
By PAUL GAROFOLI
Special to the Leader
SAN ANTONIO - Hall of Famer Don Shula once said, "Luck means a lot in football. Not having a good quarterback is bad luck."
Stony Point football fans should feel blessed with good fortune twice-over as the Tigers' alternating quarterback scheme of Aaryn Sharp and Gus Barrera led to a convincing win Friday night against the Alamo Heights Mules.
Stony Point won 29-0.
Sharp and Barrera alternated every other offensive play during the course of the contest.
While Sharp (6-foot-2) and Barrera (5-foot-10) may draw comparisons to the Florida Gators tandem of Tim Tebow and Chris Leak a few years ago, it may not completely apply. The 220 pound Sharp is unusually quick for a player his size. The 165 pound Barrera is Tiger tough.
Regarding the every-other-play strategy, Sharp said, "It keeps the defense on their toes by bringing more weapons to the table."
After holding the Mules on downs, Stony Point got on the board quickly, scoring on four running plays from the Heights 43. Keepers by the two quarterbacks were punctuated by two runs from Jihaad Johnson, the last one leading to a score. The extra point attempt was no good.
Johnson seemed to cement his status as the number one running back with 110 yards on 12 carries.
On the next series, PL Lindley, "Big Bear" Wade and Nathan Godfrey applied a series of punishing tackles holding the Mules to just one first down.
The Mules responded with a pin-point punt that forced the Tigers to start their second offensive series from the one-foot line.
The Tigers responded brilliantly.
A five- yard pass from Sharp to flanker Steven Williams opened up some room to work for Stony Point. The Tigers promptly marched all the way down the field for their second score in as many possessions. Runs by Sharp, Barrera and Johnson culminated in a touchdown by Johnson.
The try for two was no good and Stony Point led 12-0.
John Andrews and Monday Akinbode got into the mix, sacking the quarterback to help hold Heights to a three-and-out.
The Tigers then marched down the field again, culminating in a touchdown run by Gus Barrera. After a false start penalty, Kory Leis kicked the PAT and the rout was on, 19-0, seconds into the second quarter.
The Mules went to a no-huddle offense but the Tigers' Desmond Martin intercepted a pass. His long return was limited to 10 yards by a holding penalty after the catch.
The Tigers drove the ball again but the Mules rose the occasion and forced Stony Point to settle for a 32-yard Leis field goal.
The half ended with Stony Point leading 22- 0.
The third quarter went scoreless for both sides and it appeared that Alamo Heights was playing for a moral victory. The Mules chose not to air the ball out for a quick score and instead played ball control relying on the running of Justin Rosenthal to keep the Tigers at bay.
Stony Point got talented tight end Gerard Shillow in the offensive mix in the fourth quarter. Steven Williams and John Garofoli also accounted for catches as the dual quarterbacks completed 14-of-19 passes for 158 yards.
Sam "Swifty" Kelly finished the scoring with a 6 yard run to wrap up the evening. The Leis PAT was good and the final score was Stony Point 29, Alamo Heights 0.
"Give credit to Alamo Heights," said Coach Craig Chessher following the game. "But the most important stat is the scoreboard and I'm proud of our defense for the shutout."
Providing inspiration for Stony Point was Eric Bakos who returned to the sidelines in a game shirt. Eric spent several months in the hospital recovering from burns he suffered in an apartment fire.
"I've been waiting a long time to be at a game," he said. "If I can't be on the field at least I can be here to support the team."
The Tigers and its dual quarterback system gave Eric plenty to cheer about.
Next up for the Tigers is Connally High on Thursday at the Round Rock ISD Stadium. It will be senior night for Eric and his Stony Point classmates.
|
Article Comment Submission Form
|
|
|
|
|
NEWS
