Tigers ground and pound Lamar to advance

Southern Sports & Travel, By Darron Thomas

The third ranked Centreville Tigers looked to be in a dogfight against the Lamar Raiders in round one of the 2011 MAIS playoffs last night in Centreville. The Tigers took a slim 13-7 lead into the second quarter but erupted with 28 points to take a commanding 41-7 lead into the half en-route to a 41-21 win to advance to next week’s second round. Centreville rolled up 248 yards on the ground in the first half alone as they won their ninth straight to improved to 10-2 on the season.

Lamar opened up strong as the Raiders produced a solid first possession drive to start the contest. Senior quarterback Tyler Harris directed the Raiders from their own 17 yard line down to the Centreville 8 where the drive stalled. An attempt to cash in on their first possession success fell short as a Dusty Weisner 25 yard field goal attempt went wide right at the 7:48 mark of the quarter.

(Above) Centreville quarterback Tyler Towles delivers from the pocket

Centreville would take just three plays and 1:02 to get on the scoreboard. Taking over at their own 20 yard line tailback Hunter Travis hit the hole for a quick five yard pickup followed by a 20 yard burst from fellow tailback Randy Bell to advance the football to the Tiger 45 yard line. On the following play Travis exploded through the Lamar defense for a 55 yard touchdown run with 6:46 remaining in the opening quarter. Bell added the PAT to give Centreville an early 7-0 lead.

Lamar’s resolve was solid as the Raiders answered the call with an eight play, 85 yard drive that was capped when junior tailback Corey Skinner sliced his way 46 yards for a touchdown at the 4:00 mark. Weisner’s PAT knotted the game at 7-7. In that drive there was a half hour delay as Centreville defensive back Hunter Travis sustained an injury requiring medical attention.

As they did on their first possession of the game Centreville responded quickly. Starting from their own 35 yard line the Tigers moved to the Lamar 35 on the running of Randy Bell. A facemask infraction on Lamar advanced the football to the Raider 20 yard line where Bell high-stepped it to the endzone on the next play as Centreville reclaimed the lead. Bell’s PAT was blocked and with 2:07 left in the first quarter Centreville held a slim 13-7 advantage.

Lamar’s last possession of the opening quarter seemed to be a momentum changer in the game. Moving from their own 35 yard line to the Centreville 43 the Raiders took a risk and attempted to convert on a fourth and 7 but with 36 seconds remaining in the quarter Tyler Harris’ pass attempt fell short giving Centreville advantageous field position heading into the second quarter of play.

(Above) Centreville tailback Randy Bell en-route to paydirt

Lamar’s defense came up big as the Raiders stopped Cliff Hurst for no gain and on third down linebacker Lee Martin and defensive lineman Jonathan Young sacked quarterback Tyler Towles for a six yard loss at the Tiger 39 yard line forcing Centreville’s offense into a three and out.

The Lamar offense made a critical mistake after regaining possession as an errant pitch on an option play resulted in a fumble recovered by Centreville linebacker Cliff Hurst at the Raider 20 yard line with 10:25 remaining in the half.

Hurst quickly cashed in on the turnover as the senior went off left tackle and scampered 20 yards to pay-dirt. Quarterback Tyler Towles executed the two point conversion with a run and Centreville increased their lead to 21-7.

Centreville’s defense held Lamar to just two yards on their next possession allowing the Tiger offense to go to work again. Taking over at their own 40 yard line Centreville’s offensive line began opening up big holes in the Lamar defense. Three Cliff Hurst runs would set the table for the Tigers at the Lamar 16 yard line where tailback Randy Bell did the rest. The junior went around the right side for a 16 yard jaunt to give Centreville a 27-7 cushion with 6:07 left in the first half.

Centreville forced Lamar’s offense into a three and out as defensive lineman Michael Pate and defensive back Gage Chandler each registered a sack on quarterback Tyler Harris.

After a Chase Davis 33 yard punt to the Centreville 47 yard line the Tigers moved 53 yards in six plays to score again. The drive was culminated by a Cliff Hurst 3 yard burst with 2:22 left in the second quarter to give Centreville a healthy 33-7 lead.

(Above) Centreville tailback Cliff Hurst plows ahead for tough yards

Centreville put the game out of reach before the half ended with a 56 yard drive that took less than a minute. Cliff Hurst recorded his third touchdown on the night as the senior went in from 2 yards out with 15 seconds remaining. Hurst then ran in to convert the two point conversion and give the third ranked Tigers a commanding 41-7 lead as the half closed.

Lamar scored on a Corey Skinner 18 yard run at the 4:29 mark of the third quarter and then again in the fourth quarter when backup quarterback Barrett Dudley hooked up with Gane Duggan for a 75 yard touchdown strike.

Cliff Hurst led the Centreville rushing attack with 73 yards on 8 carries and 3 touchdowns, Randy Bell picked up 70 yards on 6 carries and 2 touchdowns and Hunter Travis had 60 yards on 2 carries and a score.

Centreville advances and will host District 5-AA runners up and fifth ranked Trinity next Friday night.

Lamar closes out the 2011 campaign with a 6-6 mark.

Post Game with Centreville head coach Bill Hurst