Photo credit, Undre Smith/ossports
Pearland – Klein Collins represented the trenches well. Its massive offensive line and defensive front seven set the tone from the outset.
The fifty-plus mile ride from Spring to Pearland made for a comfortable journey after the Klein Collins Tigers got the best of the Dawson Eagles, 38-14, on Friday night at The Rig.
The Tigers (2-0) followed up last week’s big win 62-26 against Magnolia with an impressive victory over an annually strong and talented Pearland Dawson team. Maybe the Tigers will allow this victory to sit in its memory bank. Whether Dawson or Pearland, many teams seldom earn the right to enter The Rig and come away with an easy win.
“Klein Collins is a really good team,” Dawson’s coach Mike Allison explained. “They took advantage of our mistakes, and they’re well coached. I’m not discouraged by our guys. We just know we have some things to work on. We got to get better.”
Tigers junior quarterback Tucker Parks, who finished 10-of-15 with 105 yards, two touchdown passes, and no interceptions, did double duty racking up 125 ground yards on 12 carries and two touchdowns. Battery mate running back junior Michael Wilson tallied 103 yards on ten carries and a score.
“Tucker Parks, we start and stop with that young man,” Mitchell said. “The thing that makes him special is his ability to continue to keep his eyes downfield. When he gets out of the pocket, he’s not just looking to run, and he’s looking for guys downfield before he runs. That’s like next-level ability with a high school junior quarterback.”
Dawson’s offense came out sluggish, with the added task of facing Klein Collins’ front four pass rushers in JP Beavers, junior Antoine Milon, junior Logan Taylor, and junior Koydell Warren. Standing 6’0″ and weighing 270 pounds, Milon recorded two sacks and gave Dawson’s offensive line all it could handle while Beavers, Taylor, and Warren stuffed the gaps and bull-rushed the edges.
“We are a little young on defense, but those guys up front are special,” Klein Collins coach Adrian Mitchell said. “They are the anchor. We were able to do well against the run tonight, and that’s always our goal going out.”
Additional pressure stemmed from the Tigers’ linebacking core. Linebackers Bryce Adeokun, Gage Luellen, and Tony Patrick kept the Eagles honest most of the evening. When Dawson penetrated the defensive line, Klein Collins’ second line of defense took care of business, stopping the Eagles for minimal yards. Luellen recorded one of the team’s four sacks and kept the Eagles’ passing attack off track by blistering through gaps.
“On the back end of our defense, we have some guys that are new,” Mitchell quoted. “Both the corners are new. They stepped up and showed they are Klein Collins Tigers and know what we are about. They took care of business. In terms of improvement from week to week, I think we have gotten better defensively—credit coach Powers and the rest of the defensive staff.”
Most of the Eagles’ production came from quarterback Colin Johnson, who completed 11-of-24 for 216 yards and no interceptions. His primary target receiver Josh Gillis-Harry had four receptions for 96 yards and one touchdown.
The Tigers took its opening drive 60 yards, and Parks’ 16-yard run to Dawson’s 44 sparked the possession. Five plays later, Parks found receiver Ethan Wyatt in the left corner of the end zone to put the Tigers up 7-0 following Benjamin Peña’s bonus kick.
Klein Collins held an edge in total production by piling up 362 yards to 293 for the Eagles.
Dawson (0-2) went three and out on its first three possessions, all in the first quarter.
Trailing 24-0, senior quarterback Colin Johnson missed a few receivers before guiding the offense on a scoring drive where he capped a two-yard touchdown run to avoid a first-half shutout. Aaron Jensen kicked the point, and the Bulldogs cut the lead 24-7.
“As far as age, we have a little bit of everything,” says coach Allison. “Last year, we played 19 sophomores and a freshman; those guys are now juniors and sophomores. There is some good stuff coming.”
Parks had a hand in Klein Collins’ two other first-half touchdowns, throwing 31 yards to junior receiver Donovan Baker and Parks called his number, scrambling 18-yards to the end zone.
Peña added a 29-yard field goal with 10:07 to go in the second quarter as the Tigers watched its lead swell, 17-0.
“We are excited about what he brings to the table,” Mitchell said. “He does a great job protecting himself and will get out of bounds.”
Outside of a couple of turnovers, Klein Collins moved the ball on each one of its possessions, piling up 362 yards as opposed to 293 for the Eagles.
In the second half, similar to the first, the Tigers dominated Dawson on both sides of the ball.
The Eagles moved the ball on its first possession of the second half, yet it ended in a turnover on downs.
That had much to do with the Tigers’ overpowering defense.
Parks concluded a two-play 54-yard drive when he found receiver Ethan Wyatt who snagged the ball between two defenders at the Eagles’ 11. Wilson added the finishing touches with a six-yard touchdown run to put the game away, 31-7, following Peña’s PAT with 42 seconds left in the third quarter.
Dawson forced a pair of turnovers, but it led to nothing. The Tigers’ backup running back fumbled at the Eagles three still. The Eagles took possession and returned the favor when receiver Josh Gillis-Harry caught a pass at the ten and fumbled the ball at Dawson’s 11-yard line with 8:02 remaining.
“Dawson has a great defensive line,” Mitchell said. “Their two ends (Charles Anderson and Edward Smith, both are juniors) are super destructive. Their nose guard (Chris Herpin) did a great job getting through the gaps. He will give you some fits. You will not have five or four seconds to throw the ball as they give you in 7-on-7. They had a couple of dynamic players out tonight.”
Two plays later, Parks called his number again as he scrambled 19 yards to help Klein Collins build a 38-7 lead after Peña’s bonus kick.
As time wound down, Johnson kept his poise, leading the Eagles on its longest drive of the evening. The 75-yard gallop included three incomplete passes and a sack, but Johnson hooked up with Gillis-Harry with 3:07 left, the score 38-14.
Both teams subbed out backup players with five minutes left in the contest.
Klein Collins will travel to face Summer Creek next Thursday at 7:00 P.M. as Dawson looks to rebound on the road against Tomball next Friday.
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