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Sports
irror
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Paving the way Former Midlothian standout helping Houston post strong offensive numbers while building toward potential championship season
Photo by Mike Sackett/Special to the Mirror
Midlothian wide receiver Eddie Johnson leads his teammates out onto the field Friday night against Waco University. Johnson finished the night with 159 yards receiving and a touchdown in a 55-21 loss.
Back on his game Johnson has first 100-yard receiving performance for in more than a month By ALEX RILEY Mirror sports writer
WACO — Last week, Eddie Johnson repeatedly told the sideline late in the game to throw the ball his way. Midlothian was down big with a comeback out of reach, but that didn’t mean the senior wide receiver didn’t want to at least trim the score a little. Against Waco University, Johnson got his wish. After being held in check for four straight games, the Baylor-commitment broke loose against the University defense for 159 yards with a score on nine grabs in a 55-21 loss on Friday night. “Everybody had high expectations for the game. We came out here with energy and we weren’t fixing to give up on this game,” Johnson said. “We knew this game was already out of hand but we’re going to keep fighting, we’re going to keep the energy level high and not fixing to give up. I’m proud of them.” Down 14-0 in the first half, quarterback Dillon Fairbanks launched a ball in the direction of Johnson down the right sideline. The defensive back in coverage mistimed his jump as a much bigger and more physical Johnson ripped the ball away and left the defense behind for a 67-yard score. That would be as close as Midlothian would get the rest
Preview of Friday’s game between Midlothian and Ennis on A1. of the game, but it led to a big day for the Panther play maker. By halftime, Johnson had already cleared the 100-yard plateau. He came back in the second half with a grab of 34 yards on the team’s first possession after a Trojan turnover. That drive looked to be a scoring one until an interception on a screen pass brought it to a halt. The 159-yard game is the second highest total for Johnson this season, bested only by a 178-yard day against Mineral Wells. However, the nine catches are an individual season high and tie fellow senior Mason York for the most in a game this year. After opening the season with three straight 100-yard games, Johnson was quietly limited to games of 50, 39, 25 and 63 yards over the last three weeks with just 16 combined catches. Including the totals from the University game, See JOHNSON, Page 2C
Fourth annual Guns vs. Hoses football game The Midlothian fire fighters and police officers will square off in the annnual match for gridiron bragging rights at Don Floyd Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 14 at 1 p.m. Admission to the contest is one nonwrapped toy, which will be given to Toys For Tots. For more information, contact Donnie Schley at 972-775-7690.
Photo courtesy University of Houston media relations
Former Midlothian offensive lineman Jordan Shoemaker (73) has earned his way into a starting slot on the Houston offensive front, blocking for All-American candidate Case Keenum (7). The left tackle is a key player in one of the nation’s most prolific scoring offenses.
By ALEX RILEY Mirror sports writer
HOUSTON — No one wanted to be on the field last Saturday night worse than Jordan Shoemaker. It was homecoming night at Robertson Stadium and the Houston Cougars were hosting Southern Methodist in a Conference-USA battle. Every time his offensive teammates made the trek off the field and to the bench, Shoemaker was there, coaching, talking, analyzing, doing whatever he could to help his team win. Top of the heap It’s what the former Midlothian Former Midlothian standout has always player Jordan done. Shoemaker is a key After a standout career for the cog on one off the Panthers, Shoemaker most potent headed to Houston as offenses in America. a two-star recruit ready to help the Cougars’ pass orientPassing yards: 2734 ed offense. (1st in FBS) Following a red-shirt season and the deparPassing scores: 20 ture of former coach (2nd in FBS) Art Briles, Shoemaker got his Total yardage: 3,362 chance in the 2007 (2nd in FBS) season under new coach Kevin Sumlin Points per game: 40.8 with appearances in nine games and one (T-3rd in FBS) start. A year later, he played in all 13 games and started the last six, including the Armed Forces Bowl win over Air Force. So it came as no surprise when Shoemaker, who had a broken foot in the off season, rose above again and earned a starting spot on this season’s offensive front at the left guard. Until a high ankle sprain against Mississippi State two weeks ago, Shoemaker was a starter. Once the ankle heals, he’ll be back. “I hope to be back next week,” Shoemaker said with a smile. His teammates would like that very much as the offensive front has been a shining point for Houston in a season where its captured the nation’s attention. After a stunning 45-35 upset of No. 5 Oklahoma State and a win over Big 12 contender Texas Tech, the Cougars made their way into the national spotlight as a team poised to contend for a spot as a BCS buster. “It’s good. We never had any doubts within,” Shoemaker said. A loss to UTEP subsequentially put those dreams on hold for now. But the season has been a sort of dream for
the C-USA squad. Shoemaker and his team are still in position to win the conference title for their first trip back to the league’s highest bowl, the Liberty Bowl, since 2006. But it’s much more than that for Shoemaker and his offensive line coherts. While the conference isn’t a BCS league, the man they’re blocking for has captivated some of the national attention as quarterback Case Keenum joined the Heisman Trophy conversation after a sterling start to the year. The junior signal caller has already thrown for the most yards in the FBS system at 2,734. His 20 touchdowns are second only to Boise State’s Kellen More (21). Keenum has already earned national and conference See SHOEMAKER, Page 3C
Photo by Gary Puckett/Special to the Daily Light
A high ankle sprain against Mississippi State has sidelined Jordan Shoemaker for the last two games. The junior does expect to return to the lineup this week against Southern Miss.