Arlington Bowie best Edna Karr

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Volunteer’s defense forced issues on Cougars, hansbrough rushes for two TDs

 
 

Arlington – This wasn’t the same Edna Karr team that loss in the LHSAA class 4A title game a year ago.  After facing stiff foes in Bi-District and regional rounds of the playoffs last season, the Cougars posted wins over Wossman and McDonogh 35, as they cruised to the title game where they fell to Franklinton 34-28.  Even though they lost eight starters to college, they started the season off as the No.  4 state ranked team in Louisiana in its classification.  Coach Jabbar Juluke learned something about this years’ team, particularly on Labor Day afternoon.

 

At Cowboy Stadium Monday afternoon, Arlington Bowie’s defense held Edna Karr to six points while Arizona State commit, Russell Hansbrough rushed for 172 yards, on 13 carries and scored two touchdowns in a 36-6 defeat in the opening game of the 2011 Geico Kirk Herbstreit National Kickoff Classic.

 

Bowie’s defense established the momentum from the outset in the first of four games played at the stadium.  Cornerback Malik Tipler wrapped up Devante Noil behind the line of scrimmage for a five yard loss after catching a lateral pass on third and five from the 11 yard line.  On fourth down from the seven yard line, a high snap went through hands of Fred Bailey and out of the back of the end zone for a safety.  That gave Bowie a 2-0 lead and soon after possession of the ball at their 48.  Quarterback Kolby Listenbee bounced around the right end down to the 34 of Edna Karr for an 18 yard pickup.  Hansbrough finished off the drive with two rushes that netted 34 yards, with a great inside run that watch him break four tackles with a pair of spin moves to break free from would be tacklers as he went down the side line into the end zone for a 28 yard TD.

 

“We didn’t play like I thought we would but that’s part of playing early in the season.  Their big and fast, we knew that”, said Kenny Perry, Bowie’s Coach.  We watched their state championship last year, knew they had some kids, they had some tremendous athletes.  I just told our kids, we’re going to go out and play. “

 

Another Bowie (2-0) drive that started at their 46 yard line was foiled when Hansbrough was stripped of the ball as he darted up the middle of the Cougars defense inside the 34 yard line.  Edna Karr’s Jaevon Walton recovered the loose ball to eliminate what could have been a disaster but instead helped setup a one play 67 yard scoring strike to Rasheed Davis, who beat his man deep down the left sideline, which sparked new life into the Cougars.

 

“Always, when you represent the state of Texas, we have our coach association and everybody that’s played football their whole life, so it’s a little stress.  We wanted to represent our state good, but we have a long way to go”, said Perry.

 

A couple of series later, a chance to add points got away from the Cougars after kick returner Jarrell Bennett found running room on a 68 yard return down at the Volunteers 10 yard line.  Running back Lemar Martin was stopped at the line of scrimmage for no gain, Bowie’s Demonte Hood tackled Rashad Watson after a gain of three, and two passes fell incomplete, intended for Bennett and Standish Dobard resulting in a turnover on downs.  Bowie returned the favor while facing fourth and 10 from the Cougars 35 yard line.  Blake Bradford was separated from the ball steaming from jarring hit by Colinn Early.

 

“I thought we played against a good football team”, said Edna Karr’s Coach Jabbar Juluke, but we made a lot of mistakes, and they capitalize on our mistakes.  We have to make sure we fine tune some of those things.  I think Bowie played extremely well, they came out and scored on their first drive, and we turned the ball over.

 

Hansbrough’s 70 yard TD run gave the Volunteers a 15-6 halftime lead.  But defense was the real story in this battle.  Tipler, Quinton McCoy, Jaquirous Jackson, Hood, Devin Williams, Caleb Potter, Tajaye Anderson, and Robert Zenon played lights out throughout.  They recorded more than seven tackles at or behind the line of scrimmage and gave Edna Karr fits from the start of the game until the conclusion.  Jackson who played offense and defense added an interception, a 40 yard fumble return that led to a touchdown and two yard TD run to his busy day.

 

Bowie continued their scoring ways in the third quarter.  A blocked field goal attempt was highlighted when 6’5” 300 pound Darrian Dyson found a gap in Bowie’s line, batting the ball down which only slowed the Volunteers for a brief moment. 

 

It wasn’t long before Volunteer’s Williams forced a fumble, after sticking Watson while the ball came loose and was picked up by Jackson at the 45 and returned it to the to the five yard line of the Cougars.  Listenbee covered the remaining five yards, grounded out a keeper to make matters worse for the Cougars (22-6).

 

At this point, the game was all but over as frustrations stacked for the Cougars (0-2).  Karr was flagged for unsportsmanlike penalty after a player removed his helmet on the field of play and Dyson was ejected following an unknown personal foul. 

 

Bowie capped the scoring with a two yard TD run carried in by Jackson Zenon returned an interception 85 yards.