The Abilene High defense
gave a performance of a lifetime Friday night.
The Eagles pitched a shutout, blanking Midland Lee, 13-0, at
Shotwell Stadium.
But it wasn't just handing the three-time defending state champion
its first shutout since 1997 that was impressive.
The way in which the Eagles stymied the Rebels was remarkable.
Abilene High was completely dominating in beating Midland Lee
for the first time since 1986 when Trey Forkerway kicked a field
goal on the final play for a 6-3 upset win.
Consider these numbers:
-- Abilene High held Lee to only two first downs, one of those
coming in the final minute of the game.
-- The Eagles limited the vaunted Rebels' running game to just
43 yards rushing. The Rebels only had 45 yards total offense.
-- Lee crossed the 50-yard line into Abilene High territory
only twice - reaching the 49 once and taking over at the Eagles'
43 after a 6-yard punt with 1:05 remaining in the game.
-- The Rebels had only two plays from scrimmage that gained
more than four yards.
"Unbelievable," said Abilene High coach Steve Warren.
"What a great effort! These kids reached down and found
something tonight we haven't had before.
"Our plan was every time they touched it, we'd have 11 guys
coming after 'em. Our guys on defense played an unbelievable
game."
The victory sets up a showdown with unbeaten Cooper next week
to decide the District 4-5A championship. The Eagles are 6-3
overall and 3-1 in district play.
"Our plan was to just not let them do anything," said
defensive tackle Kevin Sapp.
"We just played solid defense."
The Eagles' defensive line of Sapp, Nathan Russell, Justin Wolcott
and Eric Jonas dominated the line of scrimmage.
Their performance left Lee coach John Parchman shaking his head.
"I don't believe I've ever had so many three-and-outs,"
he said. "Abilene High was really motivated and played a
great game. Those coaches and kids deserve a lot of credit."
Abilene High couldn't get its passing game going against Lee's
defense, but the Eagles found an effective running game, especially
using misdirection plays.
Tailback David Willis had 20 carries for 109 yards, and quarterback
Marcus Johnson added 81 yards rushing on 27 carries
Appropriately, the Abilene High defense set up the game's only
touchdown.
Middle linebacker Narada Norman intercepted a pass at the Rebels'
26-yard line early in the second quarter and returned it 19 yards
to the Lee 7-yard line.
Two plays later, Johnson rolled right and then passed back to
Kendrick Starks, who was open in the end zone as he cut back
to the left against the flow. The 5-yard TD reception gave Abilene
High a 7-0 lead.
The Eagles spent the rest of the night playing ball control with
its running game and field position with its defense.
J.B. Gibbs added a pair of 32-yard field goals, one with 1:28
to go in the first half and the other one with 2:34 remaining
in the game to seal the victory.
Lee, which is 5-4 and 2-2, has to beat Midland High next week
to have a chance to return to the playoffs and defend its state
title.
Contact sports editor
Al Pickett at 676-6772 or picketta@abinews.com.
1st
Q
2nd
Q
3rd
Q
4th
Q
FINAL
Lee
0
0
0
0
0
Abilene
0
10
0
3
13
AHS - Kendrick Starks 5 pass from Marcus Johnson (J.B. Gibbs
kick)
AHS - Gibbs 32 field goal
AHS - Gibbs 32 field goal
...........................Lee..........AHS
First Downs...........2................13
Rushes-yards......23-43.........49-185
Passing-yards...........2..............8
Comp-Att-Int.......3-14-2...........2-7-0
Punts ...................7-39.7..........9-32.8
Fumbles-lost...........2-1...........0-0
Penalties-yards.......1-15.......5-35
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
RUSHING - Lee: Freddie Jones 5-23, Jacobe Kendrick 9-15, Cole
Sampson 1-(-2), Shawn Murphy 4-10, Eric Guiterrez 1-0, Aaron
Timmerman 2-(-3). AHS: David Willis 20-109, Juan Gallow 1-2,
Marcus Johnson 27-81, Jerale Badon 1-(-7).
PASSING - Lee: Cole Sampson 0-4-1; Jacobe Kendrick 0-1-0; Aaron
Timmerman 3-9-1, 2 yards. AHS Marcus Johnson 2-7-0, 8 yards.
RECEIVING - Lee: Eric Winston 1-(5-), Eric Guiterrez 1-15, Jacobe
Kendrick 1-(-8). AHS: Kendrick Starks 1-5, Kevan Albright 1-3.
