Photo credit Michael Wyke/Contributor
Magnolia – A rivalry game that means everything to the community came down to defense.
This years Magnolia Bowl watched senior linebacker Kade Dunlap record two sacks, and senior defensive back Tye Copeland picked off two passes, the last coming with 33 seconds left to ice the game as Magnolia West defeated district rival Magnolia 21-14 on Friday night at Bulldog Stadium.
The victory allowed Magnolia West to keep its record unblemished in District 8-5A.
Two key defensive stops sealed Magnolia West’s fate and delivered the Magnolia Bowl to the Mustangs (7-0, 5-0). Dunlap blitzed from the right side, sacking Magnolia’s quarterback Ross Choate on second and five. On the next play, Copeland followed that with a game clinching interception with 33 seconds remaining to preserve the victory.
“There is no way to describe the feeling going down to the ground with the ball,” said Copeland after his game-ending interception with 35 seconds left.
The Mustangs defense headlined the contest, recording five sacks, forcing five turnovers, six stops for loss of yards or no gain while its offense scored the decisive touchdown to complete the comeback. In addition, Magnolia committed eight penalties for 65 yards.
“When you can’t run the ball, can’t pass-protect and turn the ball over four times, you’re not going to win,” Magnolia coach Craig Martin said. “Their defense did a great job up front.”
The Bulldogs (5-3, 4-2) who won the last two Magnolia bowls, forced a punt but took possession of the ball at its two-yard line with 1:45 left. Choate’s pass to receiver Tyler Leleux gave it a first down and breathing room at the 26. Yet it would run out of answers.
The clock became a factor for Magnolia with under four minutes to play. However, the Mustangs continued to work the clock as running back Kai Aroca-Disdier broke a pair of runs of 42 and 48.
A defensive struggle set the tone of the first quarter, but Magnolia West threatened at the end of the quarter, penetrating to the Magnolia 6-yard line. The first play of the second quarter, running back Hunter Bilbo, took a pitch and beat the defense to edge and the end zone with 11:54 left in the second quarter. The Mustangs led, 7-0 after junior Hector Chaparro’s extra point kick.
“I think it was a total team win and our offense and defense picked each other up when it needed to,” Mustangs coach Ben McGehee explained.
Magnolia responded by marching 63 yards in four plays to tie the game at seven. On the first play from scrimmage, Choate’s 59 yard strike to Leleux gave the Bulldogs a first down at the Magnolia West 8-yard line. A couple of plays later, Choate bulled his way through defenders to the end zone. Ernie Mendoza tacked on the point after with 10:08 left in the second quarter.
After stopping the Mustangs on its following series, Magnolia’s offense overcame a pair of setbacks before Choate scrambled away from the pocket and threw a 37 yard strike to tight end Marcus Childs at the Mustangs 25. Still, the frame would not see its completion before the Bulldogs suffered a false start infraction and a chop blocking penalty. Finally, Evan Aznar bolted up the middle to cap a three yard carry, and the Bulldogs grabbed its first lead, 14-7.
West made the best of a short field at its 45 yard line. Bilbo picked up 30 yards on back-to-back carries, giving the Mustangs a first down at the Magnolia15. Two plays later, Aroca-Disdier spurted up the middle and danced around a pair of players before trimming the right sideline where he walked into the end zone, tying the game at 14 with 2:11 to go in the second quarter.
Quarterback Brock Dalton, who directed the offense, finished the day passing for 104 yards on 9-of-20 attempts and a 11-yard touchdown run. Aroca-Disdier led the ground attack, rushing for 123 yards on ten carries and a score. Bilbo added 96 yards on 17 carries and a touchdown.
With 2:05 remaining in the second quarter, the Bulldogs’ offense squandered an opportunity of promise when Dunlap and Magnolia West defensive lineman Sayer Swinford sacked Choate for a five yard loss. On the next play, a holding call wiped out a 46-yard pickup at the Magnolia West 20. However, at its 24-yard line, sophomore tailback Hunter Andrews broke free to the Mustangs 32 but turned the ball over when he fumbled with 51 seconds left in the quarter.
Magnolia West failed to convert the turnover into points when Dalton’s pass fell incomplete on fourth and eight, with 16 seconds left in the first half.
As the game began, the weather showed clear skies and 74 degrees, but the expected cold front blew through with high winds, which watched the temperature dropped to 65 as it left a burden on the complexion of the game. Both teams suffered and enjoyed success in its kicking game as a strong western head wind limited plays through the air.
The third quarter marred by penalties saw the defense hold the game scoreless.
On the first play of the fourth quarter, Dalton faked the handoff to Bilbo and went left and dove into the end zone with 11:53 left in the fourth quarter. Chaparro made good on the kick to give the Mustangs a 21-14 lead.
Both coaches, Martin and McGehee, are good friends and shared time as assistant coaches at Temple High School.