Dual-threat Davis, led Eagles on six touchdown drives
Spring – After the first game season ending injury last season, quarterback Matt Davis assured the home crowd there would be no let down this night.
In fact, Davis directed an offense that scored six touchdowns four of which he took into his own hands to help Klein Forest upset No. 10 ranked Cinco Ranch 32-17 Thursday night at Klein Memorial Stadium.
The win avenges last season’s lost to the Cougars (42-21) and gives Klein Forest a 1-0 start.
A penalty plagued first quarter left both teams flagged for four dead ball personal fouls which had a bearing as the quarter ending 0-0. But soon after, Davis and the Eagles shook off a shaky start after trailing by three points on the strength of Jake Farmen’s 22 yard field goal.
At one point in the first half, the players were so emotional that Referee Vance Duncan stopped play and announced to fans, play would not resume until both teams decided they were ready to play football.
Trent Richmond gave Klein Forest good field position at the 39 with a 51 yard kickoff return. From there, Davis and Anthony Brisco grounded their way to the ten yard line where Davis capped the drive, sweeping around the right end behind a huge offensive line, led by Chris Mouton.
The Eagles got break when Clay Garrison lost track of a pooch kick; it bounced off his shoulders pads, sending players into a mad scramble before Ryan Smith secured the loose ball at the 30 yard line of Cinco Ranch. Three plays later, Davis sprinted into the end zone from four yards out to put the Eagles up 12-3.
“Klein Forest is a very good football team and they did the things they needed do to win tonight and they kept us from doing the things we needed to do tonight,” said Don Clayton, Cinco Ranch’s coach. Hats off to them. Matt Davis is one fine player. There defense did a pretty good job as well and I think they’re going to be a pretty good team this year. I think we are to, we got a starting point, and we’ll work from there.”
More penalties, drive killing turnovers and heads up defense kept the Cougars caged for most of the night. Cinco Ranch (0-1) ran a three quarterback system with Luke Klingler, the son of former Stratford quarterback David Klingler, Cole Thomas, and Jake Steed. Cole, who was more productive, got most of the snaps.
The Eagles added another touchdown before halftime when Ken Jones used a couple of crafty moves to split the Cougars defense, on his way to a beautiful 57 yard scoring scamper. “Everybody came out ready; we started after our last game, last season. We started early. When I get the ball I’m looking for touchdowns not just yards. I didn’t start, so I was hungry,” said Ken Jones, Klein Forest running back.
In the third quarter, the Eagles increased their lead (25-3) with a 90 yard drive, as Davis completed a five yard touchdown toss to Desmond Van Dyke with 8:24 to go.
“My knee been fine, I know a lot of people are worried about it. I’ve been cleared for seven months for a reason and I came out here and I knew God had me,” said Davis who mentioned, the only thing that was on my mind was to win. I feel better than my sophomore year, stronger. We made plays today. The blocking up front was great.”
Davis finished the night with 432 of the Eagles 536 yards. That included 14 of 23 attempts for 258 yards through the air with two touchdown passes and 174 yards rushing on 25 carries and two more scores. Cinco Ranch total 290 yards of offense.
Klein Forest received an all around great effort from their defense, led by standout defensive end Tyree Gray, linebacker’s Farrell Jones and Anthony Sykes. Jones added two picks while secondary speedsters, Derrick Smith and DeAndre Harris limited the Cougars to 96 yards through the air while providing excellent coverage.
It didn’t take long for the Cougars to cut into the lead with a 66 yard drive which concluded with a six yard Jamel James touchdown run, which left 4:53 to play in the quarter. While everything was falling apart, the touchdown gave new light to Cinco Ranch but not for long.
With the momentum, Klein Forest kept the pressure on with yet another touchdown. Harris brought the home crowd to its feet with a 55 yard highlight touchdown reception worthy of ESPN top plays of the day. His natural position is receiver but he has recently the moved to safety because of departure, due to graduation.
“It’s was a good game, a little bit of bad sportsmanship; we could have done a little better on our end. The kids were excited and had a lot of fun,” said Klein Forest coach Kenny Hammock.
