River Oaks strikes early against Spartans
Courtesy of The Bastrop Enterprise
Prairie View coach Reagan Morrison said he was pleased with his team’s second half effort against the defending MAIS Class AA champion River Oaks.
The Spartans held the Mustangs offense in check after the intermission, but couldn’t close the 27-point lead the Mustangs held at half time, dropping the MAIS District 3-AA contest at Dr. E.D. Baker Field 35-6.
“I told the guys at halftime they could quit or go out there and keep playing as hard as they could,” Morrison said. “We had some bright spots, and I was pleased with their effort.”
River Oaks scored on their first play from scrimmage as Alex Biedenharn took a pitch from quarterback Ryan MacGregor going left. He then cut back toward the middle of the field and outran the Spartans’ defense for a 59-yard scoring run. Jordan Sutton added the extra point to give RO a 7-0 lead with 11:38 reaming in the first quarter.
“They’ve got real good team speed,” Morrison said. “On offense and defense, and especially their skill position people.”
Forcing PVA to punt after a three-and-out possession, Walker Thurmon’s 30-yard punt return put the Mustangs practically in the shadow of the Spartans goal post. Four plays later, MacGregor found Davis Harris for a five-yard scoring strike to push the lead to 13-0.
On their next possession, the Spartans were able to convert a third down to keep the drive alive as Cody Smith found Maclendon Sharp across the middle to move the ball to their 40 yard line. A loss of three on first down and two incompletions later, Smith’s short punt gave the Mustangs the ball again near midfield.
The Mustanges then put together their most impressive drive of the night, going 53 yards on 12 plays, using 5:23 of the first quarter. Henry Biedenharn picked up eight on fourth-and-three to keep the drive alive. Three plays later, he went in from three yards out to push the advantage to 20-0 with 28 seconds remaining in the quarter.
Taking the kickoff, the Spartans benefited from an offsides call against RO, setting up a third-and-one from their 40. Smith was forced out of the pocket and lost one on a third-and-one to kill the drive.
On first down with the ball at their 34, MacGregor found Garrett Breard streaking down the right sideline and delivered a perfect strike for a 66-yard scoring toss.
Prairie View got its only score of the night on its next possession. Smith connected with Sharp for 19 to convert a third down opportunity, and on the next play found Josh Daigle along the right sideline for a 43-yard scoring toss with 6:16 remaining in the first half.
Following another Spartan punt after the kickoff, MacGregor missed on a pass to Breard but found Harris for a 36-yard completion on the next play to move the ball deep into Spartans territory. Tristan Sheehan scored from eight yards out two plays later.
The two teams played a scoreless second half until late in the third period when the Mustangs got a safety after Henry Biedenharn nailed a 52-yard punt that was downed inside the Spartan 1-yard line.
Prairie View (2-4, 0-2) takes a break from district play next week. But it’s not really much of a break as the Spartans travel to Natchez to take on Trinity Episcopal. The Saints, last year’s MAIS Class A champs, are 5-1 for the season.
The Spartans held the Mustangs offense in check after the intermission, but couldn’t close the 27-point lead the Mustangs held at half time, dropping the MAIS District 3-AA contest at Dr. E.D. Baker Field 35-6.
“I told the guys at halftime they could quit or go out there and keep playing as hard as they could,” Morrison said. “We had some bright spots, and I was pleased with their effort.”
River Oaks scored on their first play from scrimmage as Alex Biedenharn took a pitch from quarterback Ryan MacGregor going left. He then cut back toward the middle of the field and outran the Spartans’ defense for a 59-yard scoring run. Jordan Sutton added the extra point to give RO a 7-0 lead with 11:38 reaming in the first quarter.
“They’ve got real good team speed,” Morrison said. “On offense and defense, and especially their skill position people.”
Forcing PVA to punt after a three-and-out possession, Walker Thurmon’s 30-yard punt return put the Mustangs practically in the shadow of the Spartans goal post. Four plays later, MacGregor found Davis Harris for a five-yard scoring strike to push the lead to 13-0.
On their next possession, the Spartans were able to convert a third down to keep the drive alive as Cody Smith found Maclendon Sharp across the middle to move the ball to their 40 yard line. A loss of three on first down and two incompletions later, Smith’s short punt gave the Mustangs the ball again near midfield.
The Mustanges then put together their most impressive drive of the night, going 53 yards on 12 plays, using 5:23 of the first quarter. Henry Biedenharn picked up eight on fourth-and-three to keep the drive alive. Three plays later, he went in from three yards out to push the advantage to 20-0 with 28 seconds remaining in the quarter.
Taking the kickoff, the Spartans benefited from an offsides call against RO, setting up a third-and-one from their 40. Smith was forced out of the pocket and lost one on a third-and-one to kill the drive.
On first down with the ball at their 34, MacGregor found Garrett Breard streaking down the right sideline and delivered a perfect strike for a 66-yard scoring toss.
Prairie View got its only score of the night on its next possession. Smith connected with Sharp for 19 to convert a third down opportunity, and on the next play found Josh Daigle along the right sideline for a 43-yard scoring toss with 6:16 remaining in the first half.
Following another Spartan punt after the kickoff, MacGregor missed on a pass to Breard but found Harris for a 36-yard completion on the next play to move the ball deep into Spartans territory. Tristan Sheehan scored from eight yards out two plays later.
The two teams played a scoreless second half until late in the third period when the Mustangs got a safety after Henry Biedenharn nailed a 52-yard punt that was downed inside the Spartan 1-yard line.
Prairie View (2-4, 0-2) takes a break from district play next week. But it’s not really much of a break as the Spartans travel to Natchez to take on Trinity Episcopal. The Saints, last year’s MAIS Class A champs, are 5-1 for the season.
