Photo Credit chron.com
In the postseason, rankings serve little. Keeping mistakes to a minimum and playing great defense can lift a team into the following round of the playoffs.
Not counting on its higher ranking, Westfield’s defensive back Tre Coburn saved the day by batting away a pass in the end zone intended for Klein’s receiver James Preston with 1:13 left. Preston appeared free in the back of the end zone for a moment, as the ball left the hand of quarterback Bryce Corriston. However, Coburn recovered quickly to get a hand on the ball, knocking it away as the Mustang fans erupted in excitement.
“We knew it would be a hard fought game,” Mustangs cornerback Coburn said. “Defense had to hold us together today even with the mistakes we made. But we came back and did good.”
It was enough for Westfield (10-1), who shook off a slow start, to walk out of George Stadium with a 10-6 win over the Klein Bearkats on Friday night in the Bi-District round of the Class 6A Division I Region II, UIL State Football Playoffs.
The Mustangs will meet undefeated Cy-Ranch (11-0) after taking down Pflugerville Hendrickson, 24-10 in a road victory on Thursday night, next week at a time to be determined.
After David Alvarenga’s 36-yard field goal which gave the Mustangs a 10-6 lead with 3:21 left, it had to hold off a fierce Bearkat rally.
Junior receiver Tyson Thompson gave Klein good field position at its 38, on the ensuing kickoff. The drive progressed, picking up an additional 25-yards steaming from two personal fouls. Including a face-mask infraction and receiver Nick Barkley took a hit out of bounds. That gave Klein (6-5) a first down at the Mustangs 29-yard line. Three out of the next six plays watched Corriston carry the ball to the 11-yard line. After, the Bearkats faced its last play of the game. It appeared promising for a moment, the pass from Corriston to Preston, but Coburn’s great defensive play spoiled it.
Since dropping its only game of the season, a 35-3 decision to No. 2 state-ranked North Shore, Westfield ran off a seven-game winning streak by outscoring opponents on an average of 39-9.
Klein won its last regular season contest, 49-10 over College Park to advance to the postseason.
The physicality of this hard nose battle between both teams was as expected.
Quotes
The Mustangs turned up its defensive pressure in the second half, holding Klein scoreless. But, the Bearkats were just as impressive, only relinquishing a field goal and blanking Westfield in the first half.
“Our defense has played well all season,” Westfield coach Matt Meekins explained.
Westfield returned the favor in the second half by pitching a shutout while scoring ten unanswered points. The deficit eventually became the decision maker.
According to Mustangs senior running back Ivory Roberts, it was all about energy, something it played without in the first half to an upset-minded Klein squad.
Klein clung to a 6-0 lead after Corriston directed a time-consuming opening drive. The offensive line gave the mobile Corriston time as he patiently waited for Preston to break free from coverage. Preston reeled in the Bearkats only score of the game. Logan Gray’s extra point kick failed.
Westfield offense struggled. Mainly due to Klein’s defense which played inspiringly, led by linebacker Will Garner and defensive linemen Xavier MCCutcheon and Maxton Sloan. MCCutcheon and Sloan accounted for drive halting, back-to-back sacks of Ra’Quon Washington. Stuffing the run gaps on several plays, gave the Mustangs little ground room with a flightless air-game.
The Bearkats controlled the clock for most the first half with its tough inside running game and timely passing, which began with strong upfront blocking and the rushing of a two-headed attack, senior running backs Omaric Battles and D’Anthony Simms.
Westfield’s defense kept the game close, 6-0 until its offense came around in the second half.
The Mustangs held the ball for over a minute in the first half while the Bearkats offense chewed up the clock, holding the ball for more than 20 minutes of the half but only managed a six-point lead.
