Area teams struggled during week one of the high school football season, as Magnolia, Magnolia West, Tomball, Tomball Memorial and Tomball Concordia Lutheran all posted losses.
Magnolia 7
Bryan 19
Football coaches always say that turnovers kill a football team. The old cliché rang true for the Magnolia Bulldogs Sept. 7, as two of them proved to be key momentum turners in the game.
While Magnolia’s defense let the Bryan quarterback throw the ball all over --- to the tune of more than 300 yards --- they buckled down in the red zone for the most part, holding the high powered offense to just 19 points. Two of Bryan’s touchdowns, however, came immediately following Bulldog turnovers, allowing Bryan to take a 12-0 lead at the half.
Bulldog player Devane Mitchell returned the second half kickoff 60-plus yards to give Magnolia great field position. A few plays later running back Greg Solomon grinded his way into the endzone from four yards out, cutting the deficit to 12-7.
It would be the only time the Bulldogs saw the end zone on the night, however.
The Bulldogs drove the length of the field, but the Bryan defense came up with the biggest play of the night, as they stiffened on fouth-and-goal, to keep Magnolia from taking the lead.
Bryan then iced the game with a touchdown drive of their own, providing the final score of 19-7.
Magnolia’s Sheyrome Harris led the Bulldogs with 127 yards on 17 carries, while Solomon added 85 yards on 13 rushes.
The Bulldogs (1-1) traveled to Bryan to take on the city’s other high school Rudder, Sept. 14. Results were not available at press time.
Magnolia West 7
Stratford 17
The Mustangs of Magnolia West suffered their first loss of the season Sept. 3, thanks to a stifling Stratford defense and a couple of turnovers.
The Mustang defense had its second straight strong performance, holding Stratford to only 290 yards total, but it wasn’t enough, as Magnolia West fell 17-7.
Jeremy Jordan led a balanced Mustang rushing attack with 88 yards on 12 carries, along with the Mustangs only touchdown of the night.
Brady Bynum added 50 yards on 14 carries, while Tyler Ray had 64 yards on 11 carries. Quarterback Troy Logan was 7-16 passing for 60 yards and a pick.
The Mustangs (1-1) traveled to state-ranked Brenham, to take on the Cubs Sept. 14. Results were not available at press time.
Tomball 24
Jersey Village 42
Fighting and clawing to stay in the game eventually took it’s toll on the Tomball Cougars Sept. 7, as they fell to 0-2 on the season with a 49-24 loss to Jersey Village.
Running back Xavier Powell ran roughshod all over the field for 255 yards on 25 carries and three scores, but it wasn’t quite enough.
After Jersey Village took a 21-7 halftime lead, the Cougars tried to make their way back into it in the third period. They were able to claw there way to a 28-21 deficit with just more than two minutes remaining in the third quarter. A quick five play, 80-yard drive by Jersey Village ended that threat however.
One more Jersey Village touchdown in the final quarter iced the game and the victory.
The Cougars dominated Jersey Village on the offensive side of the ball, as they racked up 360 yards rushing on 50 carries.
The Jersey village passing attack balanced that out as Devontre Barlow was 9-12 for 269 yards and three touchdowns.
The Cougars (0-2) traveled to Katy to take on Mayde Creek, Sept. 14. Results were not available at press time.
Tomball Memorial 3
Galena Park 35
After being shut out in their first ever varsity game, the Tomball Memorial Wildcats were able to hang with Galena Park for a half, before numbers and inexperience spelled their demise.
The Wildcats swarming defense held Galena Park to a first quarter score, while sophomore kicker Christian Jugg scored the first points in Wildcat history --- a 25-yard field goal --- to lead Memorial to a competititve first half.
The numbers game kicked in during the second half, however, as Galena Park rolled of 28 unanswered points for the 35-3 victory.
Josh Williams led the Wildcat offense with 83 yards on 19 carries, while Jared Seinkiewich added 37 yards on five rushes.
The Wildcats (0-2) traveled to Waller Sept. 14. Results were not available at press time.
Concordia Lutheran 2
Northland Christian 28
The Crusaders were overpowered by a swarming defense, falling 28-2 in their Sept. 7 contest against Northland Christian.
Concordia was held to just 146 yards of total offense, while surrendering more than 300. Their only scoring was a first quarter safety by the Crusader defense.
Stephen Everitt led Concordia with 27 yards on 11 carries, while Zac Huwyler added 46 on six rushes. Roland Frederick chipped in 38 yards on nine carries.
The Crusaders traveled to Houston Second Baptist Sept. 14. Results were not available as of press time.
