Jorge Gonzalez kicked a 29-yard field goal with 5:40 left to lift Dickinson 19-17 over Lamar in the Class 6A Division I Regional Semifinals on Saturday evening at NRG Stadium.
The Gators (12-1) will face North Shore in the regional finals next weekend at Pasadena Memorial Stadium at 1:00 P.M.
Gonzalez uprighted a 29-yard field goal with 5:40 remaining to give the Gators a comeback victory. The timing worked out for the Gators, who traded leads with Lamar most of the game.
The Gators running game took a toll on the Texans defense as tailback Jordan Myers, quarterback Delan Baines, and receiver Jacobie Fowler combined for 50 yards to give the offense a first and ten at Lamar’s 12-yard line to set up the winning kick.
”Got to make it for the team, ” kicker Gonzalez said. ”Got to make it to the fourth round and move on.”
Coach John Snelson used a balanced attack, including misdirection plays, traps, and passes. But the crucial piece reflected in its running game which wore down the imposing Texans.
Meyers led the Gators ground game with 141 yards on 27 carries and a touchdown. Jacobie Fowler added 73 yards on seven carries and a score.
”This bunch of boys has tremendous heart, and they are so gritty and tough, and they refuse to give up,” coach Snelson explained.
However, the Texans would not go away without a battle. Tailback Ta’ Zhawn Henry and quarterback Owen Holt helped Lamar convert three consecutive first downs on a critical 88-yard possession. Henry picked up four yards with the Texans facing third and two from its 20-yard line.
Holt converted two other first downs; Lamar needed 14 yards on third down when he found receiver Denzel Davis in the middle of the field at 34. Following, Holt unleashed a 55-yard strike to receiver Al’Vonte Woodard at the Dickinson’s five-yard line to set up Dua’Vadis Williams’ five-yard touchdown run with 3:37 left in the third quarter. That made the score 17-14 with 4:01 remaining.
The Gators took advantage of an eight-yard punt shanked by Carlton Smith, giving it a possession at the Texans 31-yard. Three plays later, receiver Jacobie Fowler finished the drive with a jet sweep to give the Gators its first lead since the 7:07 mark of the first quarter, 14-10 with 7:58 to go in the third quarter. Myers broke several tackles, picking up 16 yards down to the Lamar two to set up the score.
A couple of series later, toward the end of the third quarter, Dickinson started a drive at its 42 and progressed into Lamar’s territory at the 44-yard line. On the next play, Texans’ defensive back Lamar Cook intercepted Baines’ pass at the one-yard line with 11:45 left.
The turnover resulted in a unique opportunity for the Gators.
After a false start, officials moved the ball half the distance inside the one. The next play, Dickinson’s safety Wayland Hurst wrestled DJ William down in the end zone for a safety, pulling the Gators within a point, 17-16 with 11:41 to go.
Entering the fourth quarter, the Gators struggled against a tough athletic Texans’ defense. However, Dickinson’s ground game pieced together short gains to continue its grind.
Lamar (11-2) surrendered a big play, which led to Dickinson’s first touchdown. But Texans defense found it’s comfort zone.
Free safety James Bell, free safety Tre’ Von Lewis and defensive lineman Joshua Landry came up with big stops behind the line of scrimmage. The prominent Texans defensive line controlled the line of scrimmage early on.
Lamar scored on two second-quarter possessions. The first included a 75-yard drive that watched junior Williams go in from a yard out to tie the game at seven after William Fallon’s extra-point kick with 4:44 remaining. Then with 12 seconds left in the half, Fallon tacked on a 30-yard field goal, breaking up the tie, with the Texans leading, 10-7 at the half.
The Texans’ defense came alive once again, stopping Gators running back Leland Young after he met a host of Lamar defenders at the Dickinson 26 for no gain.
